bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmetics companies: income developments in time of crisis
Authors: De Blasio Veronica , Pavone Pietro , Migliaccio Guido
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study offers a focus on the income dynamics of the sector, analyzing the evolution of the main profitability indicators (ROE, ROA, ROI and ROS) of 457 Italian companies in the 2008–2020 period. So, it is possible to verify the reactivity to the global financial crisis that began in 2008 and the first indications on the 2020 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis uses descriptive statistics tools and the ANOVA method of analysis of variance completed by Tukey's test, useful for identifying the existence of significant differences between geographical macro-areas of the country.

Findings

The results show positive dynamics in a sector that has been able to absorb the negative consequences of the great global crisis, improving its profitability over the years, albeit with differences in the macro-regions of Italy.

Research limitations/implications

The study considers only the companies that survived the crisis, so, presumably, the strongest. In the future, other ratios should be considered to have a more complete view. It is a quantitative study based on the financial report data that neglects other important economic factors.

Practical implications

Public policies might use this study for a better intervention in support of the sector. Besides, internal management may compare company outcomes with average sector outcomes to identify improvement prospects.

Social implications

The research represents a significant basis considering the risks deriving from the supply of low-cost Asian products that could significantly affect the profitability of Italian companies in the future.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by providing a quantitative analysis of the dynamics of the sector, through the comparative information that may be deduced of balanced sheets in the course of the years.
How COVID-19 impacts consumer purchase intention towards health and hygiene products in India?
Authors: Kumari Pooja , Bhateja Bhumika
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in India raises the need to study the variables that affect product and category choices, consumer buying preferences and consumrs' future spending. The purpose of the research is to analyse the purchasing behaviour of Indian consumers with regard to health and hygiene products, taking into consideration the impact of the current pandemic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using purposive sampling criteria, a web-based questionnaire was circulated and a total of 411 responses were received.

Findings

The results assert that variables such as awareness of social distancing, brand-cause fit, word-of-mouth (WOM) publicity, altruist attribution, perceived usefulness and social norms have significant impact on trust and perceived values, which ultimately leads to consumer's purchase intention towards health and hygiene products. In addition, the model detects the moderating role of health consciousness.

Practical implications

The empirical findings will help marketers in designing their strategies to enhance consumer purchase intention with regard to health and hygiene products in the current pandemic situation.

Originality/value

The study enriches the emerging literature with regard to the impact of COVID-19 on health and hygiene products retailing.
Alluring restoration strategies to attract seed‐dispersing animals need more rigorous testing
Authors: Holl Karen D. , Joyce Francis H. , Reid John L.
Published: January 2022

In a recently published paper, Silva et al. conclude that placing fruit feeders (induced seed dispersal) in restored tropical forests serves to enrich the diversity of animal species and seeds in recovering forests and therefore is a cost‐effective tropical forest restoration strategy. We argue that due to poor experimental design and choice of response variables measured, the data presented do not provide rigorous support that induced seed dispersal enhances tropical forest recovery.

The authors present data on animal visitation to two fruit feeders in a single 7‐year old restoration site in the Brazilian Atlantic forest over a 2‐year period. Their study has no replication and lacks no‐intervention controls with which to compare the effect of this restoration strategy. These experimental design shortcomings prevent them from demonstrating the efficacy of fruit feeders for attracting animals or enriching vegetation recovery.

Like many faunal attraction studies, Silva et al. (2020) do not present any data on seedling recruitment; such data are needed to demonstrate that restoration strategies enhance vegetation recovery. Nor do they provide cost estimates for induced seed dispersal as compared to other empirically supported restoration strategies.

Synthesis and applications. Promoting enticing restoration methods to attract animals into a restoration site without rigorous data to support the value added of such strategies for enhancing faunal abundance and forest vegetation recruitment has the potential to misguide the investments of scarce restoration resources. We recommend standards for evaluating novel restoration methods to determine whether they are cost‐effective approaches to include in the diverse toolbox needed to meet ambitious global forest restoration targets.
Isolation and characterisation of micellar casein from buffalo milk using microfiltration technique with modified buffer composition
Authors: Saha Priti , Bajaj Rajesh , Mann Bimlesh , Sharma Rajan , Mandal Surajit
Published: January 2022

The objective of this work was to study the effect of di‐sodium phosphate (Na2HPO4) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) salt concentrations (10 to 90 mM) on the isolation of casein micelles from buffalo milk by microfiltration (0.20 μm) process. Destabilisation of buffalo micellar casein resulted in the presence of CaCl2. A complete isolation of caseins from buffalo skim milk was achieved using modified buffer containing 90 mM Na2HPO4 after 4th cycle of washing with 92% removal of whey proteins. Modification of casein micelles with Na2HPO4 resulted in 33% removal of calcium in the preparation of buffalo micellar casein. Based on transmission electron micrographs, no aggregation was recorded for buffalo micellar casein and size varied from 30 to 80 nm.
A chromosome‐scale reference genome assembly of yellow mangrove (Bruguiera parviflora) reveals a whole genome duplication event associated with the Rhizophoraceae lineage
Authors: Pootakham Wirulda , Sonthirod Chutima , Naktang Chaiwat , Kongkachana Wasitthee , Sangsrakru Duangjai , U‐thoomporn Sonicha , Maknual Chatree , Meepol Wijarn , Promchoo Waratthaya , Maprasop Pasin , Phormsin Nawin , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke
Published: January 2022

Mangrove forest ecosystems support a diverse flora and fauna of marine and terrestrial species and have important direct and indirect economic, ecological and social values to mankind. Yellow mangrove (Bruguiera parviflora) belongs to the Rhizophoraceae family and is widely distributed in the intertidal zones along sheltered coastal areas in tropical latitudes. Here, we present a high‐quality, chromosome‐level assembly of the B. parviflora genome. We employed the 10x Genomics linked‐read technology to obtain a preliminary assembly, which was subsequently scaffolded using the long‐range chromatin contact mapping technique (HiC) to obtain a final assembly containing 213,026,782 bases in 10,045 scaffolds with an N50 length of 10,906,948 bases. Our gene prediction recovered 96.5% of the highly conserved orthologues in the Embryophyta lineage based on the Benchmarking Universal Single‐Copy Orthologues (BUSCO) analysis. We analysed the transversion rate at fourfold‐degenerate sites from orthologous gene pairs and discovered evidence supporting a recent whole‐genome duplication event in B. parviflora and other Rhizophoreae members. Comparative studies based on single‐copy orthologous genes indicated that B. parviflora and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza diverged approximately 24.1 million years ago. The population structure analysis revealed that 63 B. parviflora accessions from different geographical regions in Thailand were an admixture of two subpopulations. The examination of alternative splicing events in B. parviflora showed that the most prevalent splicing mechanism was intron retention. This high‐quality genome assembly together with the genetic diversity information obtained from the germplasm provide useful genomic resources for future studies on comparative phylogenetics and evolution of adaptive traits in mangrove species.
Etiological factors related to the nursing diagnosis “post‐trauma syndrome” in women victims of violence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Alcântara Cavalcante Yanka , de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venícios , Martins da Silva Viviane , Moreira Leitão Cardoso Maria Vera Lúcia
Published: January 2022

Objective

: Identify etiological factors related to the determination of the nursing diagnosis post‐trauma syndrome in women victims of violence

Data source

: Five databases were searched: SciVerse Scopus, PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, CINAHL with Full Text, and PsycINFO

Data synthesis

: A total of nine etiological factors related to post‐trauma syndrome were identified: physical assault, sexual assault, psychological violence, childhood trauma, low education level, low socioeconomic status, lack of employment, age under 40 years, and depression severity. Such factors were associated with the nursing diagnosis of post‐trauma syndrome, according to the synthesis

Conclusion

: We believe that identifying the nursing diagnosis post‐trauma syndrome in its current form shown in the NANDA‐I taxonomy is limited as the determination of nursing interventions is based on the etiological factors identified during the diagnostic reasoning step

Implications for nursing practice

: This study brings the need to implement knowledge about nursing diagnoses related to violence against women, highlighting the lack of literature that can exemplify the practice of nurses with regard to care relevant to the public in question.
The enduring impact of birth: Women’s birth perceptions, postpartum depressive symptoms, and postpartum depression risk
Authors: Johnson Katherine M. , Thai Annie , Kington Sarah
Published: January 2022

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) and related maternal mood disorders affect anywhere from 7% to 19% of postpartum women. Although historically a neglected issue, there has been a strong impetus in the past few decades to implement routine, universal screening and to address PPD as a major public health concern. Still, there has been relatively little analysis of how the quality of the birth experience influences subsequent maternal mental health. We examine the relationship between perceived birth experience and two PPD screeners (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Postpartum Depression Screening Scale).

Methods

Data came from waves I and II of the Listening to Mothers data set. This is the only national survey of US women's childbirth and postpartum experiences. In logistic and linear regression models, we used a 12‐item “feeling” index (perceived birth experience) to predict (a) overall PPD screener scores, and (b) likelihood of meeting the clinical cutoff for depression risk. We also controlled for other known socio‐demographic and obstetric risk factors.

Results

Perceived birth experience strongly and consistently predicted both PPD screener measures, and in both forms—raw scores and clinical cutoffs. By contrast, other known risk factors had inconsistent results across the two screeners.

Discussion

Perceived birth experience should be considered more central in assessing PPD. It may also be more robust than the PPD screeners used in practice, and therefore, could be a more reliable predictor of PPD. Providers should consider how the improved social‐psychological quality of women's birth experience can act as a buffer to PPD and other postpartum concerns.
Regenerating islet‐derived protein 3 gamma (Reg3g) ameliorates tacrolimus‐induced pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction in mice by restoring mitochondrial function
Authors: Li Senlin , Zhou Hong , Xie Mengyuan , Zhang Zijun , Gou Jing , Yang Jian , Tian Cheng , Ma Kun , Wang Cong‐Yi , Lu Yi , Li Qing , Peng Wen , Xiang Ming
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose

Tacrolimus a first‐line medication used after transplantation can induce β‐cell dysfunction, causing new‐onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). Regenerating islet‐derived protein 3 gamma (Reg3g), a member of the pancreatic regenerative gene family, has been reported to improve type 1 diabetes by promoting β‐cell regeneration. We aim to investigate the role of Reg3g in reversing tacrolimus‐induced β‐cell dysfunction and NODM in mice.

Experimental Approach

Circulating REG3A (the human homologue of mouse Reg3g) in heart transplantation patients treated with tacrolimus was detected. The glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and mitochondrial functions, including mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), mitochondria calcium, ATP production, oxygen consumption rate and mitochondrial morphology were investigated in β‐cells. Additionally, effects of Reg3g on tacrolimus‐induced NODM in mice were analysed.

Key Results

Circulating REG3A level in heart transplantation patients with NODM significantly decreased compared with those without diabetes. Tacrolimus down‐regulated Reg3g via inhibiting STAT3‐mediated transcription activation. Moreover, Reg3g restored glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion suppressed by tacrolimus in β‐cells by improving mitochondrial functions, including increased MMP, mitochondria calcium uptake, ATP production, oxygen consumption rate and contributing to an intact mitochondrial morphology. Mechanistically, Reg3g increased accumulation of pSTAT3(Ser727) in mitochondria by activating ERK1/2‐STAT3 signalling pathway, leading to restoration of tacrolimus‐induced mitochondrial impairment. Reg3g overexpression also effectively mitigated tacrolimus‐induced NODM in mice.

Conclusion and Implications

Reg3g can significantly ameliorate tacrolimus‐induced β‐cell dysfunction by restoring mitochondrial function in a pSTAT3(Ser727)‐dependent manner. Our observations identify a novel Reg3g‐mediated mechanism that is involved in tacrolimus‐induced NODM and establish the novel role of Reg3g in reversing tacrolimus‐induced β‐cell dysfunction.
1009. CENTAUREA CINERARIA: Compositae
Authors: Hind Nicholas , Hashi Mayumi , Brown Andrew
Published: January 2022

Centaurea cineraria L. (Compositae: Cardueae: Centaureinae), part of the Centaurea cineraria group, is described and illustrated, and notes provided on its cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases and availability. Within current concepts the full synonymy of C. cineraria and C. gymnocapra are provided along with type citations and the known distribution of type material. The infrageneric divisions of Centaurea are commented on briefly. The varying treatments of the Centaurea cineraria complex of species is discussed, some clearly recognizing a distinct Centaurea gymnocarpa, others combining the latter in synonymy. Kew's material may well be of hybrid origin, but is described here as the species with additional commentary, as it is unlikely to be C. gymnocarpa, a very local endemic of the Isola di Capraia in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, now with a Conservation Status assessment of Vulnerable. As one of the many plants that is often called dusty miller, the use of common names is commented on, especially since a diverse range of genera have been given the same name. Criticism is also levelled at some web sites that are clearly providing images not illustrating anything from this species group in Centaurea, with illustrations of plants with yellow corollas referred to Centaurea cineraria – as well as other erroneous information.
Developmental trajectories of executive functions from preschool to kindergarten
Authors: Reilly Shannon E. , Downer Jason T. , Grimm Kevin J.
Published: January 2022

Executive functions (EF) are key predictors of long‐term success that develop rapidly in early childhood. However, EF's developmental trajectory from preschool to kindergarten is not fully understood due to conceptual ambiguity (e.g., whether it is a single construct or multiple related constructs) and methodological limitations (e.g., previous work has primarily examined linear growth). Whether and how this trajectory differs based on characteristics of children and their families also remains to be characterized. In a primarily low‐income, racially and ethnically diverse, typically developing, urban sample, the present study employed confirmatory factor analyses to examine the construct of EF and latent growth curve modeling to examine nonlinear growth across five time points. Results indicated that the development of a single EF construct with partial measurement invariance across time points was best characterized as nonlinear, with disproportionately more growth during the preschool year. There was individual variability in EF trajectories, such that children with higher EF at preschool entry showed relatively steeper growth during preschool compared to low‐EF peers. However, children with less EF growth in preschool had steeper growth in kindergarten, attenuating the gains of high‐EF preschoolers and resulting in some convergence in EF by the end of kindergarten. Findings have implications for (1) examining EF development in early childhood with more specificity in future studies, (2) informing the timing of EF interventions in early childhood, and (3) identifying children for whom such interventions might be especially beneficial.
The relationship of interleukin‐6 and C‐reactive protein with left ventricular geometry and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and pre‐hypertension
Authors: Cui Tong , Wang Jian , Shui Wen , Kang Caihong , Zhang Zhenxia , Zan Yu , Wei Na , Xing Xueqing
Published: January 2022

Objective

To assess the relationship of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels with left ventricular geometry (LVG) and function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and pre‐hypertension.

Methods

A total of 458 patients were assigned into four groups: normal geometry (NG), concentric remodeling (CR), eccentric hypertrophy (EH), and concentric hypertrophy (CH). Pearson correlation and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between IL‐6, CRP, and clinical, polysomnographic, and biochemical parameters with LVG and function.

Results

IL‐6 and CRP levels were higher in the EH and CH groups than those in the NG and CR groups. The results of the Pearson correlation analysis showed that IL‐6 level was positively correlated with the E/e' ratio and peak systolic pulmonary venous reverse velocity (PVa) duration time (PVaD), while negatively correlated with the E/A ratio, s', and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). CRP level was positively correlated with A‐wave duration time (AD), peak systolic pulmonary venous flow velocity (PVs), PVa and PVaD, while negatively correlated with the E/A ratio. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that IL‐6 and CRP levels were correlated with EH (β = 1.213, odds ratio [OR] = 3.363, p < 0.001; β = 1.258, OR = 3.518, p < 0.001) and CH (β = .938, OR = 2.555, p = 0.008; β = 1.239, OR = 3.454, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

IL‐6 and CRP levels are associated with LVG and function, suggesting that IL‐6 and CRP levels are involved in OSAS and pre‐hypertension, leading to abnormal left ventricular structure and function.
The use of advanced vs. conventional imaging modalities for the diagnosis of subchondral bone injuries
Authors: Lesca H. , Fairburn A. , Sherlock C. , Mair T.
Published: January 2022

Damage to the subchondral bone has been associated with a number of orthopaedic diseases. Diagnostic imaging is, therefore, critical in identifying disease and damage of the subchondral bone, not only for the diagnosis of joint and subchondral bone disease causing lameness, but also for identifying early/pre‐symptomatic damage. The aims of this Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) were to assess the published evidence for the use of advanced imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and computed tomography [CT]) in the diagnosis of subchondral bone disease in the distal limb joints (metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints) of the adult horse, and to compare the diagnostic value of these techniques with radiography. In the studies reviewed in this CAT, advanced imaging modalities (MRI and CT) were superior to routine radiography for the diagnosis of subchondral bone injury of the distal limb joints. In a small percentage of horses, post‐MRI reevaluation of the initial radiographs or acquiring further lesion‐orientated radiographs allowed the identification of the subchondral bone injury. Extended radiographic examinations, including non‐standard views, might increase the sensitivity of radiography to detect subchondral bone injuries, however, currently CT and MRI may be considered the “gold standard” imaging modalities. More studies comparing the identification of subchondral bone lesions on imaging and by histopathological/gross examination would be useful to assess more precisely the sensitivity and specificity of the different modalities.
Evaluation of home‐based Family Foundations targeting perinatal mental health and couple conflict in Australia
Authors: Giallo Rebecca , Seymour Monique , Skinner Lorraine , Fogarty Alison , Field Karen , Mead Jemma , Rimington Helen , Galea Kate , Talevski Tom , Ruthven Claire , Brown Stephanie , Feinberg Mark
Published: January 2022

Objectives

A formative evaluation of a home‐based family intervention, Family Foundations (FF), targeting parent mental health and conflict in the perinatal period was conducted. The aims were to (a) assess parent satisfaction and recommendations for improvement, (b) identify perceived enablers and barriers to engagement, and (c) obtain preliminary outcome data related to parent mental health, conflict, and coparenting.

Methods

A mixed‐methods evaluation was conducted with 41 families at risk of or experiencing parental conflict. FF was delivered by two organizations in Australia. Qualitative interviews with parents and FF clinicians were conducted, and intervention outcomes were assessed using parent survey.

Results

Feasibility of reach and recruitment of the target population was demonstrated. Parents' indicated a high level of satisfaction with all aspects of FF and offered recommendations for improvements to resources and delivery. Service, program, clinician, and family characteristics as enablers and barriers to engagement in FF were identified. Both mothers and partners reported a decrease in their child's exposure to conflict. Mothers also reported a decrease in mental health symptoms and parenting hostility and an increase in positive coparenting behavior.

Conclusion

Feasibility and acceptability of home‐based FF in the perinatal period had been established, with preliminary evidence of positive outcomes for families.

Implications

The current findings generate evidence to inform further development of home‐based FF and wider implementation in health and social care services in Australia.
Individual movement variation in upstream‐migrating sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus in a highly fragmented river
Authors: Davies Peter , Britton John Robert , Nunn Andrew D. , Dodd Jamie R. , Bainger Chris , Velterop Randolph , Bolland Jonathan D.
Published: January 2022

Anthropogenic reductions in riverine connectivity can severely impede the migrations of anadromous species. In fragmented rivers, successful migrations depend on the ability of migrants to negotiate barriers or locate alternative passage routes. However, individual variation in the specific aspects of movement that determine migration success in fragmented rivers, is poorly characterised.

Here, individual variation was investigated in the spawning migrations of 56 adult sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus, an anadromous, semelparous species that does not show fidelity to natal rivers. The variability and consequences of two key aspects of fish migration within fragmented rivers were tested: passage time (total time taken to pass a barrier) and retreats (exploratory downstream movements after unsuccessful passage attempts). These were tested using acoustic telemetry in the highly fragmented River Severn catchment, western England, U.K.

Distinct unimodal, bimodal, and multimodal patterns of variation in passage times were displayed across the different barriers, potentially related to the physical characteristics of the barrier and prevailing river discharge conditions when the barriers were first approached, but were not related to lamprey body sizes. At the first three barriers encountered by upstream‐migrating sea lamprey in the study, between 30% and 46% of individuals made retreat movements, and between 5% and 100% of retreating individuals were able to locate alternative tributaries. Retreating individuals were highly variable in their distance and frequency of retreats; overall, retreat movements comprised 11% (lower‐upper quartiles 0%–52%, range 0%–76%) of the total distance moved before reaching spawning areas. Time‐to‐event analysis indicated that retreat rates reduced as river discharge increased.

There was no evidence indicating that individual variation in passage time, or presence of retreat movements at barriers, influenced the subsequent upstream migration speed or final upstream extent of lampreys. While predictability in rank arrival timing was high within three unobstructed reaches, this predictability was disrupted at barriers due to individual variation in passage times.

Anthropogenic barriers thus can both disrupt and reveal individual variation in the migration dynamics of anadromous species. Substantial variability in retreat behaviours can be displayed by anadromous species facing delays at barriers, with these behaviours also associated with environmental conditions and the availability of alternative migration routes. Individual variation in exploration and passage time of migrants strongly influence their eventual spawning distribution.
Alternative payment models for durable and potentially curative therapies: The case of gene therapy for haemophilia A
Authors: Goodman Clifford , Berntorp Erik , Wong Olivier ,   the International Haemophilia Access Strategy Council
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The emergence of durable and potentially curative cell and gene therapies (also known as advanced therapy medicinal products) with high price tags is challenging conventional health care payment systems. Among these are gene therapies in various phases of development for haemophilia A and B. The emergence of these therapies comes with clinical and economic uncertainties for payers, providers, patients, and manufacturers. These include uncertainties about expression of the intended physiological response, patient outcomes, and duration of treatment effect, along with potentially high upfront costs, variable additional costs, and uncertainties about uptake of the therapy among indicated patient populations. These clinical and economic uncertainties raise interest among payers, providers, and manufacturers in risk‐sharing arrangements, including alternative payment models (APMs).

APMs differ from traditional fee‐for‐service payment for health care. For example, some APMs are designed to reward clinicians and provider organizations for delivering high‐quality and cost‐effective care. The APMs described here, outcomes‐based models (or value‐ or performance‐based models) and finance‐based models, are designed to mitigate or otherwise manage financial risks associated with health care payment, including instances in which patient outcomes for costly therapies are uncertain. We examine how such APMs may be applicable in the context of emerging gene therapies for haemophilia A, including considerations in determining whether any particular APM may be most suitable.

KEY POINTS OF CONSIDERATION

Gene therapies for haemophilia are among the emerging durable and potentially curative cell and gene therapies with high price tags that are challenging conventional payment systems.

These therapies present clinical and economic uncertainties for payers, providers, patients, and manufacturers, including regarding expression of the intended physiological response, duration of treatment effect, patient outcomes, potentially high upfront costs and variable additional costs, and uptake among potentially indicated, diverse patient subgroups.

These uncertainties raise interest among payers, manufacturers, and providers in risk‐sharing arrangements, including alternative payment models (APMs) such as various outcomes‐based and finance‐based models.

This paper describes a taxonomy of APMs. Then, for the particular context of gene therapy for haemophilia A, we present a set of factors to be considered when determining whether an APM risk‐sharing arrangement may be appropriate for a given gene therapy, and, if so, which APM may be most suitable.

[Correction added on 21 February 2022, after first online publication: the ‘Key Points of Consideration’ have been added in this version.]
A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study apical extrusion of debris and irrigants
Authors: Tanalp Jale
Published: January 2022

During root canal treatment, intra‐canal content as well as irrigants and root filling materials may be extruded into the periapical tissues, leading to undesirable consequences such as delay of healing and flare‐ups. Although apical extrusion of debris is an inherent occurrence of root canal treatment and no instrument or technique has totally solved this problem, attempts are underway to minimize the harm exerted to periapical tissues with the development of new techniques. This has led researchers to continuously evaluate new instruments and methodologies in terms of apical extrusion. New research on extrusion is frequently published some of which utilize traditional experimental designs and others assessing extrusion using modified or innovative methodologies. This review focuses on the research methods and experimental models to study apical extrusion of debris and irrigants by making a critical analysis of each technique. A PubMed and Scopus search was conducted and 144 articles relevant to apical extrusion were retrieved from 1968 until 2021. The methodologies used in every research article were evaluated and a classification was created. Each methodology is described with the general outlines and advantages and drawbacks of each technique summarized with a critical approach. It appears that the collection of debris in a vial still serves as a method chosen by authors even in most recent studies. On the other hand, development of experimental models that include multiple factors considering the drawbacks of the existing study designs is essential to draw more reliable conclusions on the apical extrusion phenomenon.
Rethinking Nature and Grace: The Logic of Creation’s Consummation
Authors: McFarland Ian A.
Published: January 2022

A central challenge of Christian reflection on eschatological hope is the ability to balance affirmations of continuity and discontinuity between life now and the life to come. This challenge is exemplified in 2 Peter’s assurance that believers become ‘participants in the divine nature’ (1:4), which raises tricky questions regarding the relationship between human nature as created and the grace by which it is elevated to glory. Various attempts to address this problem using the categories of nature and grace fail because the use of these terms invariably results in a framework where grace is either decoupled from nature in a way that risks making it appear a mere addendum, or so integrated with nature as to risk blurring its distinctiveness. Drawing on the work of David Kelsey, this article instead proposes that addressing the question in terms of the categories of creation and redemption, understood as two distinct forms of grace, allows the life of glory to be viewed as genuinely gracious without being made ontologically superfluous to human flourishing.
Professional protection as the strategy of nurse managers to deal with nursing negligence
Authors: Khodayarimotlagh Zeinab , Ahmadi Fazlollah , Sadooghiasl Afsaneh , Vaismoradi Mojtaba
Published: January 2022

Aim

To explore strategies used by nurse managers in dealing with nursing negligence in clinical practice.

Background

Negligence is a global challenge in healthcare settings with a significant impact on patient safety. Nurse managers have a responsibility to prevent negligence and improve the quality of healthcare services.

Methods

This study used a qualitative research design and an inductive content analysis method. Using semistructured interviews, data were collected from 26 purposively selected nurse managers working in seven hospitals in an urban area of Iran.

Findings

The category of “professional protection” was our main research finding. It encompassed three subcategories of “kind treatment of the nurse accused of negligence,” “nurse manager's prudent support for the nurse accused of negligence,” and “paternalistic leadership style.”

Conclusion

The nurse managers tried to overcome the challenge of nursing negligence through professional protection indicating a series of dynamic and conscious activities for dealing with situations that threatened patient safety.

Implications for nursing and policy

Appropriate management of nursing negligence requires appropriate and peaceful discussion with nurses to preserve their dignity and motivation to work. Education and training about nursing negligence and reflection on negligence incidents can empower nurses and improve the safety of nursing services.
Assessing Perception of Prenatal Care Quality Among Black Women in the United States
Authors: Dailey Rhonda K. , Peoples Ashleigh , Zhang Liying , Dove‐Medows Emily , Price Mercedes , Misra Dawn P. , Giurgescu Carmen
Published: January 2022

Introduction

There has been little attention to measuring quality of prenatal care from a Black person's perspective. We examined validity and reliability of the Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire (QPCQ) and perceptions of the quality of prenatal care among pregnant Black women.

Methods

A total of 190 women had complete data on the postpartum questionnaire containing the QPCQ within 8 weeks after birth. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α. Construct validity was assessed through hypothesis testing using select questions from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and Pearson's r correlation.

Results

The mean (SD) maternal age was 26.5 (5.5) years, and 85.3% of births were term (>37 weeks’ 0 days’ gestation). The total mean (SD) QPCQ score was 191.3 (27.9) points (range 46‐230), and the mean (SD) item score for the subscales ranged from 3.88 (0.80) points to 4.27 (0.64). The Cronbach's α for the overall QPCQ score was .97 and ranged from .72 to .96 for the 6 subscale scores, which indicated acceptable internal consistency reliability. All but one subscale had a Cronbach's α higher than .80. The Approachability subscale had a Cronbach's α of .72. Construct validity demonstrated a moderate and significant positive correlation between the PRAMS items and the QPCQ (r = .273, P < .001).

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the validity and reliability of the QPCQ and perceptions of quality of prenatal care among Black women from the United States. The results indicate that participants rate the quality of their prenatal care highly and that the QPCQ is a reliable and valid measure of the quality of prenatal care. Use of a convenient and reliable instrument to measure the quality of prenatal care rather than prenatal care satisfaction or utilization may help to elucidate the factors of prenatal care that are protective specifically among Black women.
Evolution of interface singularities in shallow water equations with variable bottom topography
Authors: Camassa R. , D'Onofrio R. , Falqui G. , Ortenzi G. , Pedroni M.
Published: January 2022

Wave front propagation with nontrivial bottom topography is studied within the formalism of hyperbolic long wave models. Evolution of nonsmooth initial data is examined, and, in particular, the splitting of singular points and their short time behavior is described. In the opposite limit of longer times, the local analysis of wave fronts is used to estimate the gradient catastrophe formation and how this is influenced by the topography. The limiting cases when the free surface intersects the bottom boundary, belonging to the so‐called “physical” and “nonphysical” vacuum classes, are examined. Solutions expressed by power series in the spatial variable lead to a hierarchy of ordinary differential equations for the time‐dependent series coefficients, which are shown to reveal basic differences between the two vacuum cases: for nonphysical vacuums, the equations of the hierarchy are recursive and linear past the first two pairs, whereas for physical vacuums, the hierarchy is nonrecursive, fully coupled, and nonlinear. The former case may admit solutions that are free of singularities for nonzero time intervals, whereas the latter is shown to develop nonstandard velocity shocks instantaneously. Polynomial bottom topographies simplify the hierarchy, as they contribute only a finite number of inhomogeneous forcing terms to the equations in the recursion relations. However, we show that truncation to finite‐dimensional systems and polynomial solutions is in general only possible for the case of a quadratic bottom profile. In this case, the system's evolution can reduce to, and is completely described by, a low‐dimensional dynamical system for the time‐dependent coefficients. This system encapsulates all the nonlinear properties of the solution for general power series initial data, and, in particular, governs the loss of regularity in finite times at the dry point. For the special case of parabolic bottom topographies, an exact, self‐similar solution class is introduced and studied to illustrate via closed‐form expressions the general results.
Social Evolution in Jürgen Habermas: Towards a Weak Anthropological Naturalism between Kant and Darwin
Authors: Mejía Fernández Ricardo , Romero Javier
Published: January 2022

Issues concerning naturalism have increasingly become the subject of philosophical reflections involving ontological, epistemological, and even ethics affairs. The most popular topic for contemporary philosophy has been the relationship between ontological results of Darwinism and epistemology. Despite the varied circumstances of its establishment, naturalism almost always produces recommendations that reflect a worldview much “weaker” (as in the case of Habermas) than the strong one more common among scientism. There are good structural reasons for this difference. The aim of this paper is to elucidate some of distinctive social features of Habermas's conception of the human being and its implications in the Theory of Communicative Action (1982). Therefore, it is shown that his anthropology takes a naturalistic and Darwinist perspective in the weak naturalism perspective. In the first part, Darwin ́s legacy is analysed as a research program, and Habermas ́s studies on biological anthropology are compared with the latest research in genetics and palaeontology. In the second part, we will show Habermas's proposal to confront an epistemological dualism through a weak non‐reductionist naturalism as a critique of modern metaphysics, which structures a new pragmatic realism.
Born in the mitochondrion and raised in the nucleus: evolution of a novel tandem repeat family in Medicago polymorpha (Fabaceae)
Authors: Choi In‐Su , Wojciechowski Martin F. , Steele Kelly P. , Hunter Sarah G. , Ruhlman Tracey A. , Jansen Robert K.
Published: January 2022

Plant nuclear genomes harbor sequence elements derived from the organelles (mitochondrion and plastid) through intracellular gene transfer (IGT). Nuclear genomes also show a dramatic range of repeat content, suggesting that any sequence can be readily amplified. These two aspects of plant nuclear genomes are well recognized but have rarely been linked. Through investigation of 31 Medicago taxa we detected exceptionally high post‐IGT amplification of mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences containing rps10 in the nuclear genome of Medicago polymorpha and closely related species. The amplified sequences were characterized as tandem arrays of five distinct repeat motifs (2157, 1064, 987, 971, and 587 bp) that have diverged from the mt genome (mitogenome) in the M. polymorpha nuclear genome. The mt rps10‐like arrays were identified in seven loci (six intergenic and one telomeric) of the nuclear chromosome assemblies and were the most abundant tandem repeat family, representing 1.6–3.0% of total genomic DNA, a value approximately three‐fold greater than the entire mitogenome in M. polymorpha. Compared to a typical mt gene, the mt rps10‐like sequence coverage level was 691.5–7198‐fold higher in M. polymorpha and closely related species. In addition to the post‐IGT amplification, our analysis identified the canonical telomeric repeat and the species‐specific satellite arrays that are likely attributable to an ancestral chromosomal fusion in M. polymorpha. A possible relationship between chromosomal instability and the mt rps10‐like tandem repeat family in the M. polymorpha clade is discussed.
Influence of Axial Distance and Duct Angle in the Improvement of Power Generation in Duct Augmented Wind Turbines
Authors: Ramayee L. , Supradeepan K.
Published: January 2022

Diffuser augmented wind turbines (DAWTs) are incredibly beneficial to low wind speed areas. The duct that surrounds the turbine improves the power output by accelerating the approaching wind directing the wind through the blade. The power output of DAWT mainly depends on the duct length by turbine diameter (L/D) ratio, duct angle, axial distance, and tip clearance between the blade and duct. This article gives an insight into the performance variation of DAWT for various duct L/D ratios. Numerical simulations were performed on DAWT using ansys fluent, and the performance characteristics were studied for different duct L/D ratios, duct angles, and axial distance. The investigations found that axial distance of 0.06D for duct L/D ratios between 0.15 and 0.60 gives improved performance. It was found that the optimal duct angle is a function of the L/D ratio, and as the L/D ratio increases, the duct angle increases. A geometric procedure was used to find the pattern in which the angle increases in other L/D ratios. The geometric procedure helps to keep the duct’s inner profiles merging for duct L/D ratios 0.15 to 0.6 by maintaining constant axial distance. By keeping the ducts as per the proposed procedure resulted in angles 22 deg, 38 deg, 45 deg, and 52 deg for duct L/D = 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, and 0.6. The performance of WT with 30 deg angled ducts and proposed angled ducts was compared. The proposed angled ducts had improved power output than 30 deg angled ducts. The proposed axial distance and duct angles help to use the duct length effectively, which shortens the duct and enhances power output.
Constructing Robust and Reliable Health Indices and Improving the Accuracy of Remaining Useful Life Prediction
Authors: Wei Yupeng , Wu Dazhong , Terpenny Janis
Published: January 2022

A system health index is a measurement of the health condition of complex systems. However, most of the health indices are developed based on strong assumptions. Consequently, existing health indices are not capable of measuring the actual deterioration behaviors with high accuracy. To address this issue, we introduce a probabilistic graphical model to examine the probabilistic relationships among sensor signals, remaining useful life (RUL), and health indices. Based on the graphical model, three types of conditional probabilistic autoencoders are combined to develop the health indices of a complex aero-propulsion system. The proposed method is demonstrated on an engine dataset. The experimental results have shown that the proposed method is capable of constructing robust health indices as well as improving the accuracy of RUL prediction.
Stochastic Analysis of Lubrication in Misaligned Journal Bearings
Authors: Ma Jiaojiao , Fu Chao , Zhu Weidong , Lu Kuan , Yang Yongfeng
Published: January 2022

Misalignment is common in hydrodynamic journal bearings and the causes of it can be diversified, making the lubrication performance exhibits stochasticity. Lubricant viscosity often heavily depends on temperature, which may vary during service and result in unexpected deviations. This article analyzes the stochastic lubrications of a cylindrical hydrodynamic journal bearing with misalignment under uncertainties. The stochastic Reynolds equation governing the misaligned journal bearing is discretized by the polynomial chaos expansion (PCE), an efficient uncertainty tracking tool, and then solved by the finite difference method to obtain sampled lubrication. The crude Monte Carlo simulation is used to verify the performance of the PCE frame. Various critical lubrication performance parameters are studied comprehensively by the ensemble mean, standard deviation, probability density function, and cumulative distribution function. Insightful inspections are provided on the stochastic results, and it is found that the misalignment and different stochastic parameters may cause significant effects on the lubrication performance. The new findings in the present study will guide the robust design and analysis of general hydrodynamic journal bearings.
Theoretical and experimental examination of simple coaxial photonic crystals for undergraduate teaching
Authors: Guo Xubo , Liu Yingying , Chang Ying , Zhu Meihong , Zhang Liuwan
Published: January 2022

A study implementing a coaxial photonic crystal with a simple structure composed of only one type of coaxial cable is described. The coaxial photonic crystal consists of alternating sections of a single cable and N parallel cables, with impedances of ZH and ZH/N, respectively. The high mismatch in impedance at the interfaces enables access to a highly superluminal group velocity with few cables. An easily realizable method is also presented to measure both the amplitude of transmission and the phase of the crystal by using an oscilloscope and a function generator. The measurements were validated by an advanced vector network analyzer and matched the results of theoretical analysis based on the transfer matrix method. The experiment only requires electronic components and equipment that are typically used in undergraduate teaching laboratories.
Field theory spin and momentum in water waves
Authors: Bliokh Konstantin Y. , Punzmann Horst , Xia Hua , Nori Franco , Shats Michael
Published: January 2022

Spin is a fundamental yet nontrivial intrinsic angular momentum property of quantum particles or fields, which appears within relativistic field theory. The spin density in wave fields is described by the theoretical Belinfante-Rosenfeld construction based on the difference between the canonical and kinetic momentum densities. These quantities are usually considered as abstract and non-observable per se. Here, we demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, that the Belinfante-Rosenfeld construction naturally arises in gravity (water surface) waves. There, the canonical momentum is associated with the generalized Stokes drift phenomenon, while the spin is generated by subwavelength circular motion of water particles. Thus, we directly observe these fundamental field theory properties as microscopic mechanical properties of a classical wave system. Our findings shed light onto the nature of spin and momentum in wave fields, demonstrate the universality of relativistic field theory concepts, and offer a new platform for their studies.