bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
pH‐responsive cotton fibre dyed by natural madder dye
Authors: Zhu Shilong , Huang Zhangmi , Yu Xiaoqing , Wei Ling , Wang Hao , Huang Shushu , Meng Xiangling , Han Yige 
Published: December 2021

AbstractpH‐responsive cotton can be used as a flexible sensor because it changes colour with pH. However, the safety of some synthetic pH‐responsive dyes is uncertain, so the application of pH‐responsive cotton to wounds is limited. Herein, natural madder dye was selected to explore the dyeing conditions and produce safe, pH‐responsive cotton. Based on experimental data and computational calculations, the variation in the conjugation of the molecule was responsible for the colour change of the cotton dyed with madder. When the pH of the madder solution increases, the phenolic hydroxyl group of the alizarin, which is its main component, is ionised, and the colour changes from yellow to purple. The effect of the dye concentration was studied, and the results showed that the higher the dye concentration, the more obvious the colour change of the cotton. The reversibility of cotton dyed with madder was investigated, and the results showed that there was a good reversible transformation with changing pH. The reversibility time of the colour change was less than 20 seconds.
Life expectancy and its adjustment in cerebral palsy with severe impairment: Are we doing this right?
Authors: Rosenthal Mark 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn children with very severe cerebral palsy, an adversarial legal process for medical negligence, when liability is admitted, requires an estimate of life expectancy. Medical experts using the same cohort data and the same clinical facts can produce quite different life expectancies, leading to arguments in legal conferences and courts. The issues that commonly arise include between‐country comparisons, projected and therapy‐induced advanced life expectancies, and the contribution of epilepsy, scoliosis, and especially cognition to life expectancy. In this review, these factors are discussed from an arithmetic, statistical, and medical viewpoint to initiate debate on the issue, including whether median survival should be advocated.
EEG‐based automatic multi‐class classification of epileptic seizure types using recurrence plots
Authors: Khosla Ashima , Khandnor Padmavati , Chand Trilok 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThere is an urgent need to develop an efficient system for accurate recognition of epileptic seizure type that could play a significant role in reducing the adversial effects of the disease. A lot of work is available for EEG based automatic seizure detection but very less attempts have been made towards the classification of variants of seizures. Moreover, none of the authors have included the EEG signals for myoclonic seizure type in their classification studies. Our study aims to propose the automatic machine learning based multi‐class classification system for classifying six types of epileptic seizures (such as absence, focal non‐specific, complex‐partial, generalized, tonic–clonic and including myoclonic too) through the use of recurrence plots (RPs). In our study, we have collected 19‐channel EEG data from a huge database of Temple University Hospital. Two classification modalities have been proposed depending upon the feature extraction approach followed for RPs‐ (a) Traditional approach using the recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) method; (b) Texture based approach using the hybrid method named as Unthresholded Recurrence Plot with Fractal Weighted Local Binary Pattern (URP‐FWLBP), that has been proposed in our work using a combination of Unthresholded RPs (URPs) and Fractal Weighted Local Binary Pattern (FWLBP) method. Thereby, an indirect variant of support vector machine (one‐vs‐rest approach) has been used as the multi‐class classifier in both the approaches. The performance of the proposed modalities has been validated using five‐fold cross‐validation method in the light of seven metrics‐ accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Matthews correlation coefficient, geometric‐mean, precision and f1‐score. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed system following hybrid URP‐FWLBP method in performing multi‐class epileptic seizure type classification with 100% efficiency, thereby outperforming the traditional RQA method based system as well the existing state‐of‐the‐art systems.
Long‐term acclimation might enhance the growth and competitive ability of Microcystis aeruginosa in warm environments
Authors: Drugă Bogdan , Ramm Elisabeth , Szekeres Edina , Chiriac Cecilia , Hegedüs Adriana , Stockenreiter Maria 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

The positive effect of global warming on the growth of cyanobacteria has been widely predicted, but long‐term studies targeting their adaptive potential to higher temperature have not been carried out so far. Predicting the magnitude and impact of cyanobacterial blooms in the future as a response to global warming requires an understanding of how cyanobacteria might change in the long term due to climate change.

Here we examined the effect of exposing three Microcystis aeruginosa strains isolated in Romania to ambient (22°C) and high (26°C) temperature for 6 months. Then, the competitive ability of the strains after heat acclimation was evaluated, by analysing their impact on plankton community composition.

One of the three strains displayed significantly higher growth rates after 6 months of cultivation at higher temperatures. Following inoculation into a natural plankton community, the overall cyanobacterial abundance significantly increased in the cultures inoculated with this heat‐acclimated strain of M. aeruginosa as compared to the ambient‐acclimated version. The structure of eukaryotic communities was impacted by both inoculated cyanobacteria and temperature during the experiments.

The results of this study emphasise the high potential of cyanobacteria to respond to stressors, and highlight the fact that previous acclimation to warming is a critical factor in shaping the overall structure of plankton communities.

Our study strongly advocates for including a step of culture acclimation to future experimental conditions in research programmes aiming to better understand the long‐term impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems.
Divided loyalties? The role of national IO staff in aid‐funded procurement
Authors: Heinzel Mirko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMany operational International Organizations (IOs) rely on national staff when implementing projects in member states. However, fears persist that the loyalties of national IO staff may be divided when working in their home countries. The article studies differences in more than 50,000 procurement decisions taken in 1729 projects overseen by World Bank staff working as expatriates or in their home countries. The empirical results show that when staff work in their home countries, national suppliers' probability of winning procurement contracts increases. However, these increases are not driven by restricted procurement processes—that exclude competition—which are often seen as red flags for corruption. Instead, restricted procurement processes seem to be less likely when staff work in their home countries. These findings imply that national IO staff use their country‐specific knowledge to increase the development effectiveness of procurement in line with the mandate of the World Bank.
Wildfire catalyzes upward range expansion of trembling aspen in southern Rocky Mountain beetle‐killed forests
Authors: Nigro Katherine M. , Rocca Monique E. , Battaglia Mike A. , Coop Jonathan D. , Redmond Miranda D. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimClimate warming is expected to drive upward and poleward shifts at the leading edge of tree species ranges. Disturbance has the potential to accelerate these shifts by altering biotic and abiotic conditions, though this potential is likely to vary by disturbance type. In this study, we assessed whether recent wildfires and spruce beetle outbreaks promoted upward range expansion of trembling aspen.LocationThe San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado, USA (37°34′–37°50′N, 106°49′–107°21′W).TaxonPopulus tremuloides.MethodsWe used aerial imagery to determine the upper elevational limit of adult aspen and conducted seedling surveys at and above this upper limit in burned and unburned areas, which had already incurred high canopy mortality due to spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) outbreaks. We compared characteristics of burned versus unburned bark beetle‐killed sites and assessed microsite conditions related to aspen seedling establishment using generalized linear models and interaction indices.ResultsAspen seedling establishment occurred upslope of its previous range within burns, but not in unburned areas, despite severe beetle‐driven canopy mortality across all sites before the fire. Aspen seedling establishment was associated more with the light and mineral soil created by fire than the presence of nearby seed sources. Aspen seedlings were associated with nurse objects such as logs and rocks at the highest elevations, where these objects may ameliorate a range of stressors associated with the high elevation range boundary.Main conclusionsNot all disturbance types are equal in promoting tree species migrations at the leading edge. Range shifts can be highly localized, and microsites are important for driving local range expansions in transitional environments. The mosaic of future disturbances across the landscape will drive forest compositional shifts, depending on the disturbance types and the species they promote.
Investigating the value of immersive virtual reality tools for organizational training: An applied international study in the biotech industry
Authors: Baceviciute Sarune , Cordoba Ainara Lopez , Wismer Philip , Jensen Tine Vitved , Klausen Mikkel , Makransky Guido 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundImmersive virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used in organizational training interventions. However, few studies have systematically investigated VR compared to standard training methods in actual organizational contexts.ObjectivesThe focus of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a VR simulation for training professionals in the biotech industry. Aligning training needs to unique media affordances, the study designed an immersive story‐based VR simulation for training customer‐facing employees on a new product and tested it in an international biotech company.MethodsThe system was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness to a traditional video presentation with the same content in a randomized between subjects experiment. The sample consisted of 95 employees across three locations: Brazil, Denmark, and USA.ResultsThe VR simulation group performed better than the video presentation group on the outcomes of conceptual knowledge (d = 0.41) spatial knowledge (d = 0.61), transfer intentions (d = 0.57), enjoyment (d = 1.74), self‐efficacy (d = 0.68), perceived learning (d = 0.89), personal value (d = 0.83), and organizational value (d = 0.82), but no significant difference was found for factual knowledge (d = −0.10).ImplicationsResults suggest that VR simulations can be effective across cultures in organizational training interventions. VR is specifically effective when the goals of the training are to increase conceptual and spatial understanding as well as enjoyment, and self‐efficacy, but not factual knowledge. Furthermore, employees report higher levels of perceived learning, personal and organizational value and transfer intentions after VR training compared to standard video‐based training.
How Do Supranational Regulators Keep Companies in Line? An Analysis of the Enforcement Styles of EU Agencies
Authors: Joosen Rik , Zhelyazkova Asya 
Published: December 2021

AbstractNational governments have increasingly transferred enforcement powers to EU agencies that monitor and penalize non‐compliance by private actors. How do EU agencies apply enforcement competences in practice? Based on the Eurolegalism thesis, pressures for deeper integration have led to the emergence of a more adversarial enforcement style in Europe. Consequently, supranational regulators are expected to employ formal and coercive enforcement instruments. Conversely, studies of EU enforcement suggest that EU agencies may be reluctant to antagonize national governments by prosecuting private actors. In this study, we analyze the enforcement practices of supranational agencies with direct enforcement powers: the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA). We find that EU agencies apply a legalistic approach, but they vary in coerciveness of enforcement. Whereas EU agencies tend to apply more coercive measures against non‐conform products, they are generally not adversarial toward non‐compliant organizations.
Self‐management interventions for issues identified in a geriatric assessment: A systematic review
Authors: Donison Valentina , Chesney Tyler R. , Wills Aria , Santos Brenda , McLean Bianca , Alqurini Naser , Hossain Nazia , Durbano Sara , Lemonde Manon , Alibhai Shabbir M. H. , Puts Martine 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundWith the development of electronic geriatric assessment (GA), recommendations for self‐management can be provided to patients without the presence of health care providers. Our research question was to identify what self‐management interventions can be used by patients to address issues identified in GA and to determine their effect on patient‐centered outcomes such as quality of life, health, mood, cognition, and functional status.MethodsSearches were conducted on July 13, 2021, by a health sciences librarian in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library. A combination of database‐specific subject headings and text word searches was used such as self‐management, a key word for each of the geriatric assessment domains and older adults. Two independent reviewers reviewed abstracts and full texts for inclusion and abstracted data. Narrative synthesis was used to summarize findings.ResultsAmong 28,520 abstracts reviewed, 34 randomized controlled trials were included. The most frequently studied geriatric domains were mood (n = 13 studies), mobility/falls (n = 12), quality of life (n = 11), and functional status (n = 7). The majority of studies demonstrated positive effects on mobility/falls (9 of 12), pain (3 of 5), comorbidity (4 of 4), and medication management (4 of 4). Most studies were of low to moderate quality. All geriatric domains were targeted in at least one study.ConclusionsLow‐ to moderate‐quality studies show a variety of effective self‐efficacy‐targeted interventions exist for older adults to improve several important geriatric domains and related outcomes. However, long‐term effects, validation, and scalability of these interventions remain largely unknown.
Medication use quality and safety in older adults: 2020 update
Authors: Eshetie Tesfahun C. , Marcum Zachary A. , Schmader Kenneth E. , Gray Shelly L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractImproving the quality of medication use and medication safety are important priorities for prescribers who care for older adults. The objective of this article was to identify four exemplary articles with this focus in 2020. We selected high‐quality studies that moved the field of research forward and were not merely replication studies. The chosen articles cover domains related to deprescribing, medication safety, and optimizing medication use. The first study, a noninferiority randomized clinical trial in England, evaluated whether antihypertensive medication reduction is possible without significant changes in systolic blood pressure control or adverse events over the 12‐week follow‐up (domain: deprescribing). The second study, a prospective cohort study of women at Kaiser Permanente Southern, California, examined the association between bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fracture (domain: medication safety). The third study examined the effectiveness and safety of a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship and quality improvement initiative in reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use for unlikely cystitis cases in noncatheterized residents in 25 nursing homes across the United States (domain: optimizing medication use). Lastly, the fourth study, a population‐based cohort study in the United Kingdom, examined the association of tramadol use with risk of hip fracture (domain: medication safety). Collectively, this review succinctly highlights pertinent topics related to promoting safe use of medications and promotes awareness of optimizing older adults' medication regimens.
Geriatric conditions do not predict stroke or bleeding in long‐term care residents with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kapoor Alok , Patel Jay , Chen Zhiyong , Crawford Sybil , McManus David , Gurwitz Jerry , Shireman Theresa I. , Zhang Ning 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term care (LTC) providers prescribe anticoagulation (AC) less frequently in residents with atrial fibrillation (AF) and geriatric conditions independent of CHA2DS2‐VASc stroke risk score. Geriatric conditions include recent fall, activities of daily living dependency, mobility impairment, cognitive impairment, low body mass index, and weight loss. Multiple publications have suggested that patients with geriatric conditions are at increased risk for stroke. Understanding better the risk of stroke and bleeding in residents with AF and geriatric conditions would be valuable to LTC providers for AC decision‐making.Methods and resultsWe measured the association of geriatric conditions with composite of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA)/systemic embolism and bleeding in residents with AF and elevated stroke risk (CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≥ 2) living in American LTC facilities in 2015. After merging nursing home assessments (Minimum Data Set) with medication and hospital utilization records, we identified 209,413 eligible residents. Using generalized estimating equations, we found that the incidence of stroke/TIA/systemic embolism ranged from 0.13% to 0.26% over 30 days (1.43%–3.08%/year) in residents off AC with and without geriatric conditions adjusting for other resident characteristics including CHA2DS2‐VASc score and propensity to receive AC. Similarly, the monthly incidence of bleeding on AC ranged from 0.22% to 0.28% (2.61%–3.31%/year) without increased risk with geriatric conditions. Residents with a CHA2DS2‐VASc score of ≥7 had a 2.4‐fold increased risk of stroke compared with those with score of 2–4 (0.30% vs. 0.12%/month).ConclusionCalculating a CHA2DS2‐VASc score can be helpful in AC decision‐making for residents with and without geriatric conditions.
Effects of e‐learning on the support of midwives and nurses to perinatal women suffering from intimate partner violence: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Maruyama Naoko , Kataoka Yaeko , Horiuchi Shigeko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimsTo examine the effects of e‐learning on intimate partner violence (IPV) knowledge, preparatory/reinforcing behaviors for supporting IPV victims, and IPV screening of midwives and nurses.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG: e‐learning) and control group (CG: no e‐learning). The primary outcome was the mean change in knowledge score. The secondary outcomes were the mean number of types of practiced preparatory/reinforcing behaviors and the proportions of participants who practice screening. Unpaired t tests were performed in intention‐to‐treat analysis.ResultsOf the 88 participants, 45 were randomly assigned to the IG and 43 to the CG. For the post‐1‐test, the IG had a mean change in the knowledge score of 8.5 points with a significant difference from the 1.4 points in the CG (mean difference [MD] 7.1, 95% CI [4.1, 10.1]). The mean change between the pre‐test and the post‐2‐test was significantly larger in the IG (7.9 points) than in the CG (1.3 points) (MD 6.6, 95% CI [3.3, 9.9]). The mean number of types of practiced behaviors at the post‐1‐test and post‐2‐test was significantly higher in the IG than in the CG (MD 1.4, 95% CI [0.1, 2.8]). There was no significant difference in the proportions of participants who practice screening between the two groups postintervention.ConclusionsThe e‐learning effectively improved knowledge and promoted preparatory/reinforcing behaviors.
Responses to Eliminating Saving Commitments: Evidence from Mortgage Run‐offs
Authors: Andersen Steffen , d'Astous Philippe , Martínez‐Correa Jimmy , Shore Stephen H. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe study consumers’ responses to removing a saving constraint. Mortgage run‐offs predictably relax a saving constraint for borrowers whose mortgage committed them to save by paying down principal. Using the entire Danish population, we identify mortgages on track to run off between 1995 and 2014. We measure the effect of run‐offs on earnings and the household balance sheet. We find that borrowers use 39% of previous mortgage payments to decrease labor income and use 53% to pay down other debts. Borrowers run up nonmortgage debt prior to the run‐off and this run‐up stops once the mortgage is repaid.
Effect of deep breathing exercise with Triflo on dyspnoea, anxiety and quality of life in patients receiving covid‐19 treatment: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Öner Cengiz Hatice , Ayhan Müge , Güner Rahmet 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAims and objectivesDetermination of the effect of deep breathing exercise applied with Triflo on dyspnoea, anxiety and quality of life in patients who are hospitalized for COVID‐19 and have dyspnoea.BackroundCOVID‐19 is a viral infection that can cause severe pulmonary disease. Deep breathing exercise with Triflo in patients with COVID‐19 may contribute to the reduction/elimination of dyspnoea and anxiety, and improvement of respiratory and quality of life.DesignThe study was a randomized controlled clinical trial and conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 guidelines.MethodsThe study was conducted in the clinic of COVID‐19 of a tertiary hospital. A total of 44 eligible participants were enrolled from January to April 2021. Primary outcomes included oxygen saturation in the blood, respiratory assessment and dyspnoea level. Secondary outcomes included anxiety and quality of life. In the statistical analysis of the data, the independent sample t‐test, Wilcoxon test, Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman correlation were used to examine the intervention effect on primary outcomes and secondary outcomes, according to numbers, percentage, mean, standard deviation and conformity to normal distribution.ResultsIt was determined that the patients in the deep breathing group had a statistically significant shorter hospitalization time (3.04 ± 0.65), higher SpO2 level (97.05 ± 1.46) and higher quality of life (77.82 ± 6.77) compared with the patients in the usual care group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsDeep breathing exercise with Triflo increases the SpO2 level and quality of life in patients with COVID‐19 and contributes to a decrease in dyspnoea and anxiety levels. Moreover, the duration of hospital stay is shortened in patients who are applied deep breathing exercise with Triflo.Relevance to clinical practiceWith deep breathing exercise applied with Triflo, respiratory rate reaches normal limits in a short time, SpO2 levels increase significantly, and quality of life improves significantly in patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia.Clinical trials registration numberhttps://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04696562.