bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomous use of podcasts with metacognitive intervention: Foreign language listening development
Authors: Bozorgian Hossein , Shamsi Esmat 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPodcasts have become a pervasive and easy‐to‐access input for language learning that may improve both form and meaning aspects of language. This study attempted to investigate some unknown impacts of the autonomous use of podcasts through a metacognitive intervention on 12 adult language learners' listening comprehension with an exploratory approach and using a questionnaire, learners' journals, and semi‐structured interviews. The results suggest that autonomous language learners may benefit from multiple advantages of utilizing extensive listening input such as podcasts. Moreover, the learners have a positive attitude toward learning listening with metacognitive strategies and asserted that they aided them to be independent listeners. This study underscores the effectiveness of applying technology‐based listening learning in an EFL context where many learners are devoid of sufficient authentic and comprehensible input.
Smoking increases the risk of postoperative wound complications: A propensity score‐matched cohort study
Authors: Fan Chiang Yu‐Hsuan , Lee Yuan‐Wen , Lam Fai , Liao Chien‐Chang , Chang Chuen‐Chau , Lin Chao‐Shun 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCigarette smoking is associated with surgical complications, including wound healing and surgical site infection. However, the association between smoking status and postoperative wound complications is not completely understood. Our objective was to investigate the effect of smoking on postoperative wound complications for major surgeries. Data were collected from the 2013 to 2018 participant use files of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A propensity score matching procedure was used to create the balanced smoker and nonsmoker groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative wound complications, pulmonary complications, and in‐hospital mortality associated with smokers. A total of 1 156 002 patients (578 001 smokers and 578 001 nonsmokers) were included in the propensity score matching analysis. Smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk of postoperative wound disruption (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.56‐1.75), surgical site infection (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.28‐1.34), reintubation (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.40‐1.54), and in‐hospital mortality (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07‐1.19) compared with nonsmoking. The length of hospital stay was significantly increased in smokers compared with nonsmokers. Our analysis indicates that smoking is associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection, wound disruption, and postoperative pulmonary complications. The results may drive the clinicians to encourage patients to quit smoking before surgery.
More individuals or specialized niches? Distinguishing support for hypotheses explaining positive species–energy relationships
Authors: Di Cecco Grace J. , Snell Taylor Sara J. , White Ethan P. , Hurlbert Allen H. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAimPositive productivity–richness relationships have been observed across taxa and ecosystems. We assessed support for two hypotheses explaining these relationships, the More Individuals Hypothesis (MIH) and the Niche Specialization Hypothesis (NSH) in two complementary datasets of avian communities in North America, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which has been widely used to study productivity–richness relationships, and the Breeding Bird Census (BBC), which has been used rarely yet offers accurate population density estimates and more homogeneous landscapes, eliminating confounding variables that may make it more difficult to test predictions of the NSH and MIH in the BBS alone.LocationCoterminous United States, 1988–2009.TaxonBirds.MethodsWe first evaluated the strength of productivity–richness relationships in the BBS and BBC, and tested predictions from the MIH and NSH in the two datasets by examining patterns in community abundance, productivity niche breadth and number of foraging guilds along a gradient of normalized difference vegetation index (a measure of vegetation productivity). We also implemented a null model to examine the contribution of sampling effects due to increasing species richness in explaining patterns in number of foraging guilds in both datasets.ResultsWe found that the BBS had a much stronger productivity–richness relationship than the BBC, potentially as a result of increased landscape diversity with increasing productivity at BBS survey sites. Although the MIH and NSH may not be mutually exclusive, we found weaker support for the MIH in the BBC, and stronger support for the NSH in the BBC and BBS.Main ConclusionsResearchers should consider the role of confounding variables such as landscape diversity and focus on developing direct measurements of food resources at macroecological scales to determine the relative importance of mechanisms driving productivity–richness relationships.
Relationship between serum uric acid and hypertension in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Luo Qiang , Qin Li , Zhang Yiwen , Yang Xiaoqian , Wang Han 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPrimary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients with hypertension (pSS‐HT) have a significantly increased risk of cardio‐cerebrovascular events. Serum uric acid (SUA), a potential inflammatory substance, is considered to be closely related to hypertension in the general population. Our aim is to assess the association between SUA and pSS‐HT. This is a retrospective cohort study. The diagnosis of pSS is based on the American European Consensus Classification criteria. Primary outcome was incident hypertension in pSS patients. Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI of SUA in pSS‐HT. The authors also plotted Kaplan–Meier plots to assess the cumulative risk of first hypertension in patients with hyperuricemia and normal uric acid. In addition, the dose‐response curve was also used to discuss the relationship between SUA and pSS‐HT. Finally, three hundred and fifty‐one pSS patients were enrolled from May 2011 to May 2020, of which 166 cases developed hypertension within a mean follow‐up of 3.91 years. Univariate Cox regression demonstrated that SUA was associated with the onset of hypertension in pSS (HR: 1.005 95%Cl: 1.002–1.009). After adjusting for the potential risk factors, the relationship remained unchanged (HR: 1.003, 95%Cl: 1.001–1.005). Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis showed a statistically significant difference of hypertension risk between hyperuricemia patients and normal uric acid patients (P = .026). There was also a significant dose‐effect relationship between SUA and hypertension in pSS in dose‐response model. In this study, the authors find that SUA may be closely associated with the development of hypertension in pSS, which is also confirmed by our dose‐response model. Therefore, SUA could be considered in the management of pSS‐HT.
MC4R biased signalling and the conformational basis of biological function selections
Authors: Liu Zekun , Hruby Victor J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe MC4R, a GPCR, has long been a major target for obesity treatment. As the most well‐studied melanocortin receptor subtype, the evolutionary knowledge pushes the drug development and structure–activity relationship (SAR) moving forward. The past decades have witnessed the evolution of scientists' view on GPCRs gradually from the control of a single canonical signalling pathway via a bilateral ‘active‐inactive’ model to a multi‐state alternative model where the ligands' binding affects the selection of the downstream signalling. This evolution brings the concept of biased signalling and the beginning of the next generation of peptide drug development, with the aim of turning from receptor subtype specificity to signalling pathway selectivity. The determination of the value structures of the MC4R revealed insights into the working mechanism of MC4R activation upon binding of agonists. However, new challenge has risen as we seek to unravel the mystery of MC4R signalling selection. Thus, more biased agonists and ligands with representative biological functions are needed to solve the rest of the puzzle.
External Contestations of Europe: Russia and Turkey as Normative Challengers?*
Authors: Aydın‐Düzgit Senem , Noutcheva Gergana 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis article aims to explore how Russia and Turkey contest the EU's actorness in their shared neighbourhoods and beyond. By adopting the theoretical lens that exerting actorness requires justification and by conceptualizing contestation as an inherently relational and discursive process, it utilizes qualitative content analysis to trace the discursive justifications that are employed by Russia and Turkey in delegitimizing the EU in their shared neighbourhoods and at global forums. The article finds that while norm‐based contestations of the EU's actorness are central to both cases, there is a marked difference between the two with respect to the type and substance of normative contestation. It also shows that normative contestation in international relations need not be limited to the contestation of norms, but that it can also entail norm‐based contestation of contenders' actorness in international politics by targeting their international legitimacy.
Sub‐lethal effects of Metarhizium anisopliae on the life table parameters of the predatory coccinellid Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius
Authors: Atrchian Haniieh , Mahdian Kamran , Izadi Hamzeh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEntomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) (Hypocerales: Claviciptaceae), as a microbial control agent, and the predator Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been considered to regulate insect pest populations. The experiments were conducted on adults of coccinellid that were sprayed with conidial suspensions at a concentration of 1.11 × 104 conidia ml−1. This study reports on some laboratory experiments investigating the effects of the isolate of M. anisopliae on the biological and life history traits of Men. sexmaculatus by using the paired bootstrap procedure. Males progeny from individuals exposed to the fungus had a significantly different developmental time, but there was no difference between females when compared to the control group. However, fecundity did not differ in the treated and control groups (391 and 408.39 eggs respectively); the sex ratio (%female/total) ranged from 62% to 63%. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R0) had no significant differences in the progeny of the fungal‐treated and untreated groups. Consequently, M. anisopliae had low effects in the sub‐lethal concentration on the biological parameters and fecundity of Men. sexmaculatus. The results, thus, suggest that M. anisopliae may be compatible with Men. sexmaculatus in an IPM programme.
Eyes and ears: A comparative approach linking the chemical composition of cod otoliths and eye lenses
Authors: Stounberg Jonathan , Thomsen Tonny Bernt , Heredia Benjamin Dominguez , Hüssy Karin 
Published: July 2022

AbstractFish eye lenses are a protein‐based chronological recorder of microchemical constituents that are a potentially useful tool for interpretations of environmental, ecological and life‐history experienced by fish. Here, we present the first study with data on the chemical composition of eye lenses from Baltic cod examined using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICPMS) and compare these spatially resolved data to otoliths from the same fish also analysed by LA‐ICPMS, measuring the isotopes 27Al, 137Ba, 43Ca, 52Cr, 65Cu, 57Fe, 39K, 7Li, 25Mg, 55Mn, 31P, 208Pb, 85Rb, 45Sc, 29Si, 88Sr, 47Ti, 50V, 149Yb, 66Zn and 90Zr. Comparison of the variation in element concentrations between eye lenses and otoliths from the same individuals showed minor similarities, suggesting a different governance in the uptake processes. A strong overlap between the concentric growth rings in the eye lenses and the otolith Sr periodicity was observed, where each consecutive minima in the chemical profile with high accuracy correspond to the width of each lens ring. No comparable trends were seen between growth rings and all other elements measured from both lenses and otoliths. The characteristic rings observed in cod eye lenses do not seem to represent seasonal fluctuation nor are they found to be directly linked to age. With this research, we provide a baseline study identifying elements in corresponding eye lenses and otoliths that show potential for unravelling the environmental and biological conditions experienced by fish.
Global prevalence of stigmatization and violence against healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Saragih Ita Daryanti , Tarihoran Dame Elysabeth Tuty Arna Uly , Rasool Akhtar , Saragih Ice Septriani , Tzeng Huey‐Ming , Lin Chia‐Ju 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeDuring COVID‐19, stigmatization and violence against and between professional healthcare workers worldwide are increasing. Understanding the prevalence of such stigmatization and violence is needed for gaining a complete picture of this issue. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to update estimates of the prevalence of stigmatization and violence against healthcare workers during the pandemic.DesignA systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted.MethodsThis review followed PRISMA guidelines and encompassed these databases: PubMed, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE Complete, OVID (UpToDate), and Embase (from databases inception to September 15, 2021). We included observational studies and evaluated the quality of the study using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Further, a random effects model was used to synthesis the pooled prevalence of stigmatization and violence in this study.FindingsWe identified 14 studies involving 3452 doctors, 5738 nurses, and 2744 allied health workers that reported stigmatization and violence during the pandemic. The pooled prevalence was, for stigmatization, 43% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21% to 65%) and, for violence, 42% (95% CI: 30% to 54%).ConclusionsStigmatization and violence during the COVID‐19 pandemic were found to have affected almost half the studied healthcare workers. Healthcare professionals are more prone to be stigmatized by the community and to face workplace violence.Clinical RelevanceHealth administrators and policymakers should anticipate and promptly address stigmatization and violence against and between healthcare workers, while controlling the spread of COVID‐19. Health care systems should give serious attention to the mental health of all health providers.
Identifying encephalopathies from acute metabolic derangements
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F. M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMetabolic derangements, when acute and severe, affect brain function. This presents mostly with a marked decline in the level of consciousness, resulting in impaired responsiveness, abnormal receptivity, impaired content, and loss of memory retention. The term metabolic encephalopathy has been used but is conjecture that can be challenged in the age of modern neuroimaging. We now recognize that many metabolic encephalopathies may involve structural lesions and at an early stage. Common clinical conundrums are the evaluation of the degree of brain injury and its recoverability. This review discusses the appropriate terminology for these conditions, the diagnostic approach, therapy recommendations, and prediction of recovery potential. In evaluating a presumed metabolic cause for encephalopathy, we must (1) search for and rule out structural injury to the brain despite an obvious explanatory metabolic derangement, (2) recognize that several confounding conditions often co‐exist, and (3) acknowledge that resolution of brain dysfunction may be protracted despite normalization of laboratory values.
Antibiotics and mental health: The good, the bad and the ugly
Authors: Dinan Katherine , Dinan Timothy 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAntibiotics are recognised as, on occasion, producing psychiatric side effects, most notably depression and anxiety. Apart from antimicrobial activity, antibiotics have multiple off‐target effects. The brain–gut–microbiota axis has multiple sites for off‐target activity, which may produce either positive or negative antibiotic effects. Here we review how antibiotics impact mental health by acting through the brain–gut–microbiota axis. Microbes in the gut influence brain function by acting through the vagus nerve or by altering the production of short‐chain fatty acids or the amino acid tryptophan, the building block of serotonin. Not all antimicrobial actions of antibiotics have a negative impact. The first antidepressant discovered was actually an antibiotic: isoniazid is an antibacterial drug developed for treating tuberculosis. Minocycline, which enters the brain and mediates its effects through microglia, shows antidepressant activity. Some antibiotics bring about a significant decrease in gut microbial diversity, and this is viewed as a risk factor for depression. Other risk factors induced by antibiotics include altered gut barrier function, activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, reducing levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor or oxytocin and alteration of vagal tone. Although most patients taking antibiotics do not suffer from an iatrogenic psychiatric disorder, some do. As clinicians, we need to keep this in mind. The development of new antibiotics is primarily focused on antibiotic resistance, but efforts should be made to reduce off‐target brain–gut–microbiota effects resulting in mental health problems.
Geographic variability in rural patient internet connectivity when accessing telehealth services from home: A retrospective analysis during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sotzen Jason R. , Stratman Erik J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeTelehealth at home (TAH) is a means of providing patient care that is increasingly utilized by health care organizations. It is crucial to identify factors, such as internet accessibility, that might impact the ability of patients to make use of such services.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using real‐time data from audio‐visual telehealth encounters conducted using the Cisco Webex Meetings platform from April 22, 2020 to May 26, 2020, and originating from a single rural health care system in the state of Wisconsin. Quality scores were determined for each encounter, and comparative call qualities were mapped to demonstrate zones of poor and unacceptable quality throughout the service area.FindingsOf 3,962 encounters meeting the study criteria, 746 (18.8%) had poor or unacceptable quality, with 116 of poor or unacceptable encounters failing to connect, and greater than 1 in 20 encounters (5.8%) requiring conversion to a telephone‐only visit. Geographic mapping of encounters with poor to unacceptable quality highlights numerous locations throughout the service area that suffer from connectivity issues.ConclusionsIn our study, there is wide and unpredictable variability in the quality of TAH encounters throughout the service area, which impacts the ability of patients living in rural areas to access timely and effective care. Our study supports the need for further infrastructure changes to improve internet connection quality in rural areas, with implications that extend beyond the current COVID‐19 pandemic.
Altered effective connectivity of thalamus with vigilance impairments after sleep deprivation
Authors: Chen Yuefan , Pan Leyao , Ma Ning 
Published: July 2022

SummaryThe thalamus is an essential gating hub to relay brainstem ascending arousal signals to attention‐related networks, including the frontal–parietal attention network and default mode network, which plays an important role in attentional maintenance. Research has proved that sleep loss leads to impairment of attentional performance by affecting neural connectivity between thalamic and attention‐related cortical regions. However, the effective connectivity between thalamic and cortical areas in the resting state remains unclear after sleep deprivation. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on the effective connectivity between thalamic and cortical areas, and explored whether the alteration of the effective connectivity can predict vigilance impairment after sleep deprivation. We implemented resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging with 31 participants under both normally‐rested and sleep‐deprivation conditions. The Granger causality analysis was used to investigate the alteration of effective connectivity between thalamic and cortical areas, and the psychomotor vigilance task was used to measure vigilance. Correlation analysis investigated the relationship between the alteration in effective connectivity and vigilance performance. Sleep deprivation significantly decreased the effective connectivity from the thalamus to the nodes in the default mode network, and significantly increased in the effective connectivity from the thalamus to the nodes in the frontal–parietal attention network. Critically, increased thalamus–parietal effective connectivity was correlated with decreased lapses. The findings indicated sleep deprivation induced a robust alteration of the communication from the sub‐cortical to cortical regions. The alteration of thalamus–parietal effective connectivity was anti‐correlated with sustained attentional impairment after sleep deprivation.
Barriers to a healthy diet and physical activity in Mexican adults: results from the Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Zavala Gerardo A. , Ainscough Tom S. , Jimenez‐Moreno Aura C. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study aims to (1) identify the most prevalent perceived barriers for healthy eating and performing physical activity among adults in Mexico; and (2) determine the association between perceived barriers, with body mass index (BMI) categories, geo‐demographic and socio‐economic characteristics. We carried out a cross‐sectional, secondary analysis of publicly available data from the Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey 2016. We extracted data from 6406 adults, aged 20–65 years, including: perceived barriers for healthy eating and for performing physical activity, BMI, residence area, region of Mexico, sex, age and socio‐economic status. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between perceived barriers with the categories of obesity, geographic and socio‐demographic variables. Seventy‐four point nine percent of the respondents were categorised as having either overweight or obesity, 80.5% reported at least one barrier to healthy eating and 78.3% at least one barrier to performing physical activity. Of the listed barriers, the most reported barriers were ‘lack of affordability’ (58.6%) for healthy eating and ‘lack of time’ (51.2%) for performing physical activity. Females (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.46) and people with obesity (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.41) were more likely to report barriers to a healthy diet; and females (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.59), people with obesity (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.69) and those living in rural areas (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.72) were more likely to report barriers to performing physical activity. There was a high prevalence of reported barriers for healthy eating and performing physical activity. Females, people with obesity, and those living in rural areas are more likely to report barriers for healthy eating and for performing physical activity. Targeted health programmes and tailored interventions that address the barriers to a healthy lifestyle that these groups experience may encourage healthier lifestyle behaviours in a greater proportion of Mexican adults.