bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elastic and thermal effects upon the propagation of waves with assigned wavelength
Authors: Zampoli Vittorio , Chiriţă Stan
Published: November 2022

It is well known that harmonic longitudinal elastic waves propagate without damping in time, while the heat equation leads to standing modes that decrease exponentially over time. In this article, it is shown that the elastic deformation when coupled with thermal deformation leads to the following effects on the propagation of harmonic longitudinal waves and on standing modes: (a) the harmonic longitudinal waves become damped in time; (b) the standing modes suffer a slower decrease in time in relation to the pure thermal modes; and (c) the propagation speed of harmonic longitudinal waves increases in relation to that predicted by the purely elastic theory. The dependence of the dimensionless parameters that characterize the effects described at these previous points in relation to the material and coupling characteristics is explicitly presented and then is numerically simulated and graphically illustrated. As regards the Rayleigh waves class, although a rigorous mathematical proof is not offered, the numerical results presented for a lot of common thermoelastic materials show the same effects of thermoelastic coupling as in the case of longitudinal harmonic plane waves. The present article systematically synthesizes the thermal effects on wave propagation, and it provides a reference work with regard to the thermoelastic coupling.
Antigenic escape is accelerated by the presence of immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Kumata Ryuichi , Sasaki Akira
Published: November 2022

The repeated emergence of SARS-CoV-2 escape mutants from host immunity has obstructed the containment of the current pandemic and poses a serious threat to humanity. Prolonged infection in immunocompromised patients has received increasing attention as a driver of immune escape, and accumulating evidence suggests that viral genomic diversity and emergence of immune-escape mutants are promoted in immunocompromised patients. However, because immunocompromised patients comprise a small proportion of the host population, whether they have a significant impact on antigenic evolution at the population level is unknown. We consider an evolutionary epidemiological model that combines antigenic evolution and epidemiological dynamics. Applying this model to a heterogeneous host population, we study the impact of immunocompromised hosts on the evolutionary dynamics of pathogen antigenic escape from host immunity. We derived analytical formulae of the speed of antigenic evolution in heterogeneous host populations and found that even a small number of immunocompromised hosts in the population significantly accelerates antigenic evolution. Our results demonstrate that immunocompromised hosts play a key role in viral adaptation at the population level and emphasize the importance of critical care and surveillance of immunocompromised hosts.
Shared properties of gene transfer agent and core genes revealed by comparative genomics of Alphaproteobacteria
Authors: Koppenhöfer Sonja , Tomasch Jürgen , Lang Andrew S.
Published: November 2022

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are phage-like particles that transfer pieces of cellular genomic DNA to other cells. Homologues of the

Rhodobacter capsulatus

GTA (RcGTA) structural genes are widely distributed in the Alphaproteobacteria and particularly well conserved in the order Rhodobacterales. Possible reasons for their widespread conservation are still being discussed. It has been suggested that these alphaproteobacterial elements originate from a prophage that was present in an ancestral bacterium and subsequently evolved into a GTA that is now widely maintained in extant descendant lineages. Here, we analysed genomic properties that might relate to the conservation of these alphaproteobacterial GTAs. This revealed that the chromosomal locations of the GTA gene clusters are biased. They primarily occur on the leading strand of DNA replication, at large distances from long repetitive elements, and thus are in regions of lower plasticity, and in areas of extreme GC skew, which also accumulate core genes. These extreme GC skew regions arise from the preferential use of codons with an excess of G over C, a distinct phenomenon from the elevated GC content that has previously been found to be associated with GTA genes. The observed properties, along with their high level of conservation, show that GTA genes share multiple features with core genes in the examined lineages of the Alphaproteobacteria.
Geneplot: a coordinate conversion approach for graphical representation of protein domain data on the exon-intron structure of a gene
Authors: Gonzalez-Ibeas Daniel
Published: November 2022

Graphical representation of single gene data, including subgenic features, polymorphisms and protein domains, is part of the regular routine of genome analyses. In the case of protein-coding genes, integration of such information with the exon-intron structure has advantages since intron polymorphisms may also have a biological impact, and the extent to which exons and protein domains overlap is of interest to evolutionary research. This report introducesgeneplot, an open-source Python library to generate this type of graphical output from standard file formats. The library applies a coordinate conversion approach in order to represent protein domain data on genomic areas.
Melanocortin 1 receptor regulates cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the liver
Authors: Thapa Keshav , Kadiri James J. , Saukkonen Karla , Pennanen Iida , Cai Minying , Savontaus Eriika , Rinne Petteri
Published: November 2022

Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1-R) is widely expressed in melanocytes and leukocytes, and is thus strongly implicated in the regulation of skin pigmentation and inflammation. MC1-R mRNA has also been found in the rat and human liver, but its functional role has remained elusive. We hypothesized that MC1-R is functionally active in the liver and involved in the regulation of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. We generated hepatocyte-specific MC1-R knock-out (L-Mc1r-/-) mice and phenotyped the mouse model for lipid profiles, liver histology and bile acid levels.L-Mc1r-/-mice had significantly increased liver weight, which was accompanied by elevated levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver as well as in the plasma. These mice demonstrated also enhanced liver fibrosis and a disturbance in bile acid metabolism as evidenced by markedly reduced bile acid levels in the plasma and feces. Mechanistically, using HepG2 cells as anin vitromodel, we found that selective activation of MC1-R in HepG2 cells reduced cellular cholesterol content and enhanced uptake of low- and high-density lipoprotein particlesviaa cAMP-independent mechanism. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that MC1-R signaling in hepatocytes regulates cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and its deficiency leads to hypercholesterolemia and enhanced lipid accumulation and fibrosis in the liver.
Ex vivointestinal permeability assay (X-IPA) for tracking barrier function dynamics
Authors: Bootz-Maoz Hadar , Simon Ariel , Del Mare-Roumani Sara , Bennet Yifat , Zheng Danping , Amidror Sivan , Elinav Eran , Yissachar Nissan
Published: November 2022

The intestinal epithelial barrier facilitates homeostatic host-microbiota interactions and immunological tolerance. However, mechanistic dissections of barrier dynamics following luminal stimulation pose a substantial challenge. Here, we describe anex-vivointestinal permeability assay, X-IPA, for quantitative analysis of gut permeability dynamics at the whole-tissue level. We demonstrate that specific gut microbes and metabolites induce rapid, dose-dependent increases to gut permeability, thus providing a powerful approach for precise investigation of barrier functions.
Identification of β-III-spectrin actin-binding modulators for treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia
Authors: Guhathakurta Piyali , Rebbeck Robyn T. , Denha Sarah A. , Keller Amanda R. , Carter Anna L. , Atang Alexandra E. , Svensson Bengt , Thomas David D. , Hays Thomas S. , Avery Adam W.
Published: November 2022

β-III-spectrin is a key cytoskeletal protein that localizes to the soma and dendrites of cerebellar Purkinje cells, and is required for dendritic arborization and signaling. A spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) L253P mutation in the cytoskeletal protein β-III-spectrin causes high-affinity actin binding. Previously we reported a cell-based fluorescence assay for identification of small molecule actin-binding modulators of the L253P mutant β-III-spectrin. Here we describe a complementary,in vitro, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay that uses purified L253P β-III-spectrin actin-binding domain (ABD) and F-actin. To validate the assay, we screened a 2,684-compound library of FDA-approved drugs. Importantly, the screening identified numerous compounds that decreased FRET between fluorescently labeled L253P ABD and F-actin. The activity and target of multiple Hit compounds were confirmed in orthologous co-sedimentation actin-binding assays. Through future medicinal chemistry, the Hit compounds can potentially be developed into a SCA5-specific therapeutic. Furthermore, our validated FRET-basedin vitroHTS platform is poised for screening large compound libraries for β-III-spectrin ABD modulators.
A new concept in antiviral drug design yields a potent influenza inhibitor
Authors: Mackenzie-Kludas Charley , Wu Wen-Yang , Jin Betty , McKimm-Breschkin Jennifer L. , Seah Ee Ling , Jones Paul , Fairmaid Emily , Tai Celeste M. K. , Oh Ding Yuan , Jenkins Peter , Hurt Aeron C. , Brown Lorena E.
Published: November 2022

Contemporary antiviral development, whether by rational drug design or forward pharmacology, primarily strives to produce ‘lock and key’ inhibitors. While the technology to identify druggable targets and create compounds to bind them has improved dramatically over the last century it has always been constrained by the finite availability of suitable binding sites that antiviral compounds can occupy. Here we present a new approach to drug design that utilizes compounds devised to alter the microenvironment of the virion surface making it incompatible with virus entry and illustrate this strategy with inhibitors of influenza virus. We show that compounds that produce a proton-rich mantle above the virion surface induce a conformational change in the viral hemagglutinin (HA) rendering the virus unable to interact with cellular receptors and gain entry to the cell. The compounds show exceptional antiviral activity bothin vitroandin vivoand protect against influenza illness in mice and ferrets after a single dose, either therapeutically or prophylactically. The work presented here lays the foundation for a brand-new category of inhibitors that could be engineered to counter many different viruses and potentially other pathogens.
Design of a series of cocrystals featuring isoniazid modified with diacetone alcohol
Authors: Scheepers Matthew Clarke , Lemmerer Andreas
Published: November 2022

Eight cocrystals containing an isoniazid derivative derivatized with diacetone alcohol [N′-[(2E)-4-hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-ylidene]pyridine-4-carbohydrazide, iz4h4m2p] were synthesized and characterized. All coformers used in this work feature at least one carboxylic acid functional group. These coformers include: succinic acid, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 4-nitrobenzoic acid, 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and cinammic acid. Crystal structures were obtained using single crystal X-ray diffraction, which shows that cocrystals containing iz4h4m2p feature a similar chain hydrogen bond between molecules of iz4h4m2p in addition to the expected carboxylic acid...pyridine hydrogen-bond interaction. Differences between the structures arise when additional hydroxyl group(s) are present, such as the case featuring the hydroxybenzoic acids. These structures are compared to their isoniazid counterparts presented previously in the literature. All cocrystals were also characterized with differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Correlated disorder and crystal structure of β-VOSO4
Authors: Fuller Chloe A. , Quintero-Castro Diana Lucia , Bosak Alexei , Dyadkin Vadim , Chernyshov Dmitry
Published: November 2022

Pauflerite β-VOSO4 has recently been identified as a one-dimensional S = ½ Heisenberg system, of interest both from a fundamental point of view and a potential material for future spintronics applications. The observation of diffuse scattering in a synthetic β-VOSO4 provides a microscopic interpretation of the underlying correlated disorder, which is linked to the inversion of the short–long V—O distance pairs along VO6 chains, forming a local defect state. Direct Monte Carlo modeling indicates that such defects form thin layers with a positive inter-layer correlation, forming small domains with inverted vanadyl bonding patterns. Two-dimensional defects in anisotropic magnetic systems may perturb, or even destroy, long-range magnetic ordering leading to unusual interactions. In particular, the lack of inversion symmetry in the defect layers opens up the possibility for the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) and, consequently, chiral magnetism localized in the defect planes. The defect β-VOSO4 structure, therefore, opens up new possibilities for the study of low-dimensional magnetic systems.
Assessing the financial sustainability of a rural livestock practice: a case of Pakistan
Authors: Lakhani Madeeha Omer , Tauseef Sana , Chattha Wajid Ali
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the feasibility of formalizing an old, informal livestock financing practice in Pakistan known as Adhyara through assessment of estimated return and risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The hedonic pricing model was employed to estimate the impact of breed, weight, pregnancy status and milk yield on cattle sales price, and appropriate estimates were used for monetization. The stochastic simulation was then used to estimate the distribution of capital returns for investors in the informal livestock practice. Primary data on animal prices and attributes were obtained from a survey of dairy farms and data on terms of Adhyara deal were obtained from a survey of nomad pastoralists and current investors. In-depth interviews were also conducted with different stakeholders to get insights into this informal livestock practice and social elements.

Findings

Results from the hedonic model show that the animal prices in Pakistan are highly variable depending on the animal attributes of breed, weight, milk yield and pregnancy status with an average value of PKR (Pakistani Rupee) 191,771 and standard deviation of PKR 66,762. Our stochastic simulation reveals mean estimated real return of 24 per cent. This return is competitive considering local and international investment alternatives.

Social implications

The research identifies a lucrative and market competitive investment option and thus opens the window of opportunity to introduce grass root entrepreneurship in the livestock sector. Recommended formalization of this traditional livestock practice can boost investment creating substantial potential for the uplift of local communities and simultaneously contribute towards the goals of poverty eradication, food provision and employment generation for women.

Originality/value

This research lays out the possibility of formalizing the practice of a traditional livestock financing in an agricultural country.
Organic food and obesity: factors influencing actual purchase of organic food in COVID-19 pandemic with moderating role of organic food availability
Authors: Nguyen Nhat Tan , Zhang Qingyu , Rehman Shafique Ur , Usman Muhammad , Palmucci Dario Natale
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Organic food consumption decreases the risk of becoming obese or overweight. This study intends to see the influence of customer perceived value, COVID-19 fear, food neophobia, effort and natural content on the intention to purchase organic food (IPOF) that leads to the actual purchase of organic food (APOF). Moreover, organic food availability is a moderator between IPOF and APOF.

Design/methodology/approach

PLS-SEM is used for hypothesis testing. A purposive sampling technique was followed to gather data from organic food consumers in Lahore, Gujranwala and Islamabad and a total of 479 questionnaires were part of the analysis.

Findings

The outcomes show that customer perceived value, effort and natural content is positively related to IPOF. Despite this, COVID-19 fear and food neophobia are negatively associated with IPOF. IPOF and organic food availability are positively related to APOF. Finally, organic food availability significantly moderated between IPOF and APOF.

Practical implications

This study outcome reveals that companies of organic food can recognize customer perceived value, COVID-19 fear, food neophobia, effort, natural content and organic food availability in their decision-making if they determine the actual purchase of organic food. This study offers a valuable policy to companies of organic food to enhance customer’s behavior in purchasing organic food in Pakistan. Besides, practitioners and academicians can benefit from this study finding.

Originality/value

This initial research integrates customer perceived value, COVID-19 fear, food neophobia, effort, natural content, IPOF and organic food availability to determine APOF in the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, consumption value theory is followed to develop the framework.
A comparative analysis of construction workers’ mental health before and during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria
Authors: Oni Olatoyese Zaccheus , Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , Khor Soo Cheen , Akinbile Bolatito Folasade
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Because of the sort of working environment and the nature of construction jobs, a high rate of poor mental health has been recorded in the construction industry. The aim of this study is to compare construction workers' mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was developed and administered online to building environment professionals working on construction sites. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. An independent sample t-test was also conducted to determine whether there was a significant difference in the mean before and during the COVID-19 infection.

Findings

The results show that mental health challenges were more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. The result of the independent sample t-test revealed that there exists a significant difference in all the mean before and during COVID-19 except sleeping too much or too little; having low or no energy and lack of emotion that shows no significant difference.

Originality/value

This study is the first to compare the mental health of construction workers before and during COVID-19 in Nigeria. The significance of this study was that it would provide an insight for construction managers and other decision-makers on the most critical mental health challenges on construction sites, which will help in an attempt to improve the mental well-being of construction workers.
The effectiveness of happiness training on quality of life in women with premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Tanhayi Azize , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Kondori Jafar , Moheb Naiemeh , Malakutie Jamileh , Hajizadeh Khadije
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can disrupt women’s work process, social activities and interpersonal communication and lead to a lower quality of life (QOL). This study aims to determine the effectiveness of happiness training based on Fordyce’s theory on QOL and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in women with PMS.

Design/methodology/approach

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 women (intervention = 50, control = 50). The intervention group participated in eight 120-min sessions of training counseling based on Fordyce happiness training. The participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the PANAS and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). A general linear model was used to compare the mean scores of QOL and positive and negative affect after the intervention.

Findings

After the intervention, the mean scores of negative affect [MD = −6.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −12.10 to −1.49] and body pain (MD = −26.19; 95% CI = −38.63 to −13.72) were significantly lower in the intervention compared to the control group. Also, the mean scores of physical functioning (MD = 42.0; 95% CI = 16.37 to 67.64) and vitality (MD = 10.40; 95% CI = 4.86 to 15.39) were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the controls.

Practical implications

Fordyce happiness training is recommended to be used in conjunction with other supportive and caregiving methods for women with PMS. Midwifes and nurses are the main source to give this training to women and can help them perform cognitive tasks, such as concentration, positive thinking and negative emotions.

Originality/value

This randomized controlled trial suggests Fordyce happiness training as a feasible and acceptable training program that can be beneficial in reducing negative affect in women with PMS.
Accelerated internationalization of SMEs and microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: towards an integrated conceptual framework
Authors: Chebbi Hela , Ben Selma Majdi , Bouzinab Kamal , Papadopoulos Andrew , Labouze Alexie , Desmarteau Robert
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Striving for growth since their early stages, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting an entrepreneurial behavior based on a rapid and early international expansion. Although some extant research have been done on the dynamic capabilities of SMEs’ accelerated internationalization–born global (BG) SMEs, no study was, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, carried on the microfoundations underlying this phenomenon. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature and contribute to the growing theory development of SME’s microfoundations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an integrated conceptual framework to better identify the microfoundations that influence born global SMEs internationalization by integrating individual, structural and processual – the microfoundations approach within the dynamic capabilities of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring.

Findings

Our propositions argue that born global SMEs are characterized by dynamic capabilities based on a combination of some individual (manager’s human and social capital, such as its personal orientation, experiences, cognition and intuition), process (market learning, technology development) and structural (agility, communication/coordination) factors that helps a lot in the acceleration of the internationalization process.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical study should be done to enrich the conceptual material.

Practical implications

To identify some international opportunities, companies should rely on the entrepreneurial orientation of its managers, its experience and network as well as the market-related learning and technological processes. The managerial cognition is important to seize opportunities while the manager’s human capital is needed to reconfigure resources while internationalizing rapidly.

Social implications

This research shows that individual attributes are important but insufficient to accelerate the internationalization process. Some individual characteristics are more useful in sensing international opportunities rapidly, such as manager’s international entrepreneurial, past experience and network, However, the managerial cognition is important to seize opportunities, whereas the manager’s human capital is needed to reconfigure resources while internationalizing rapidly.

Originality/value

Born global firms must develop several dynamic capabilities to foster their accelerated early international development. This paper gives insights about the individual, structural and processual of sensing international opportunities, seizing and reconfiguring resources and competencies for born globals.
Lightweight design of two-level supports for extrusion-based additive manufacturing based on metaheuristic algorithms
Authors: Feng Ruiliang , Jiang Jingchao , Thakur Atul , Wei Xiangzhi
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Two-level support with Level 1 consisting of a set of beams and Level 2 consisting of a tree-like structure is an efficient support structure for extrusion-based additive manufacturing (EBAM). However, the literature for finding a slim two-level support is rare. The purpose of this paper is to design a lightweight two-level support structure for EBAM.

Design/methodology/approach

To efficiently solve the problem, the lightweight design problem is split into two subproblems: finding a slim Level 1 support and a slim Level 2 support. To solve these two subproblems, this paper develops three efficient metaheuristic algorithms, i.e. genetic algorithm (GA), genetic programming (GP) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). They are problem-independent and are powerful in global search. For the first subproblem, considering the path direction is a critical factor influencing the layout of Level 1 support, this paper solves it by splitting the overhang region into a set of subregions, and determining the path direction (vertical or horizontal) in each subregion using GA. For the second subproblem, a hybrid of two metaheuristic algorithms is proposed: the GP manipulates the topologies of the tree support, while the PSO optimizes the position of nodes and the diameter of tree branches. In particular, each chromosome is encoded as a single virtual tree for GP to make it easy to manipulate Crossover and Mutation. Furthermore, a local strategy of geometric search is designed to help the hybrid algorithm reach a better result.

Findings

Simulation results show that the proposed method is preferred over the existing method: it saves the materials of the two-level support up to 26.34%, the materials of the Level 1 support up to 6.62% and the materials of the Level 2 support up to 37.93%. The proposed local strategy of geometric search can further improve the hybrid algorithm, saving up to 17.88% of Level 2 support materials.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach for sliming Level 1 support requires the overhanging region to be a rectilinear polygon and the path direction in a subregion to be vertical or horizontal. This limitation limits the further material savings of the Level 1 support. In future research, the proposed approach can be extended to handle an arbitrary overhang region, each with several choices of path directions.

Practical implications

The details of how to integrate the proposed algorithm into the open-source program CuraEngine 4.13.0 is presented. This is helpful for the designers and manufacturers to practice on their own 3D printers.

Originality/value

The path planning of the overhang is a critical factor influencing the distribution of supporting points and will thus influence the shape of the support structure. Different from existing approaches that use single path directions, the proposed method optimizes the volume of the support structure by planning hybrid paths of the overhangs.
Hybrid direct ink write 3D printing of high-performance composite structures
Authors: Gonzalez Juan Esteban Aponte , Wright William Jordan , Gustinvil Raden , Celik Emrah
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Direct ink writing (DIW) is a robust additive manufacturing technology for the fabrication of fiber-reinforced thermoset composites. However, this technique is currently limited to low design complexity and minimal heights. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of UV-assisted DIW of composites to enhance the green-part strength of the printed inks and resolve the complexity and the height limitations of DIW technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental approach involved the preparation of the thermoset inks that are composed of nanoclay, epoxy, photopolymer and glass fiber reinforcement. Composite specimens were fabricated in complex geometries from these ink feedstocks using UV-assisted, hybrid 3D-printing technology. Fabricated specimens were characterized using optical microscopy, three-point bending mechanical tests and numerical simulations.

Findings

The introduced hybrid, UV-assisted 3D-printing technology allowed the fabrication of tall and overhanging thermoset composite structures up to 30% glass fiber reinforcement without sagging during or after printing. Glass fiber reinforcement tremendously enhanced the mechanical performance of the composites. UV-curable resin addition led to a reduction in strength (approximately 15%) compared to composites fabricated without UV resin. However, this reduction can be eliminated by increasing the glass fiber content within the hybrid thermoset composite. Numerical simulations indicate that the fiber orientation significantly affects the mechanical performance of the printed composites.

Originality/value

This study showed that the fabrication of high-performing thermoset composites in complex geometries was possible via hybrid DIW technology. This new technology will tremendously expand the application envelope of the additively manufactured thermoset composites and the fabrication of large composite structures with high mechanical performance and dimensional freedom will benefit various engineering fields including the fields of aerospace, automotive and marine engineering.
Intergroup contact reduces affective polarization but not among strong party identifiers
Authors: Thomsen Jens Peter Frølund , Thomsen Anna Håland
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have assumed that the relationship between intergroup contact and affective polarization is uniform across political predispositions. We argue instead that party identification serves as a boundary condition for the intergroup contact‒affective polarization relationship. Our findings suggest that: (1) intergroup contact between “in‐party” and “out‐party” supporters reduces affective polarization among nonidentifiers, weak, and moderate party identifiers, and (2) intergroup contact remains unrelated to affective polarization among strong party identifiers. These findings apply to high‐ and low‐quality contact measures alike, meaning that party identification strength is an essential boundary condition capable of obstructing the impact of contact on affective polarization. Analyses were performed on a new sample among Danish citizens. The survey was fielded in 2021 (n = 3638). The findings contribute to both intergroup contact research and to the study of the sources of affective polarization. In terms of broader implications, our study suggests that aside from true partisans, intergroup contact stimulates democratic behavior.
Health beyond medicine. A planetary theory extension
Authors: Roth Steffen , Valentinov Vladislav
Published: November 2022

In Niklas Luhmann’s vision of the modern functionally differentiated society, health presents one of the essential function systems, along with politics, law, economy and science. While he devoted much effort to elaborating the theoretical foundations of the latter function systems, his work on the health system was relatively sparse. This research gap has been rendered particularly acute by the recent COVID‐19 crisis. In reconstructing and updating the Luhmannian analysis of this system, this article presents a three‐dimensional concept of organic, psychic and social health and highlights the risks raised by a potential overexpansion of the health concept to the planetary level. The most important of these risks is shown to be the potential rise of totalitarian social control that exceeds classical forms of medical social control. The proposed argument not only contributes to the public criticism of the political responses to the COVID‐19 crisis but also fills in some missing pieces of Luhmann’s seminal elaboration of the health system.
Major powers make the call? Review of 70 years engagement of major powers with Myanmar
Authors: Liu Peng , Miao He , Huan Wang
Published: November 2022

It is commonly assumed that smaller powers are prone to getting trapped and lost in the game of contrasting powers; however, the story of six major powers and their relations with Myanmar over the past 70 years has shown that the smaller party does not always take a passive, victimised position in these relations but can achieve an active, relatively independent position. Myanmar accomplished this position by shielding itself from sanctions from the United States, UK, and Japan using China's assistance; implementing selective trade and investment; and diversifying its weapon suppliers, including Russia and other players in the arms market. In this paper, the data on 70 years of arms transfer are analysed to exemplify the defence policy of Myanmar towards major powers, the bilateral trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) data are used for economic policy, and the three indicators provide a simplified but concise picture of Myanmar's long‐term relations with world major powers. Myanmar is a relatively small power in the global landscape of larger powers, but it has maintained its independence in policy making and has made full use of the competition for power among major powers for its own benefit. Thus, it is not the big fish but the small one that has helped shape Myanmar's relations with major powers.
Anatomical study of the cardiac conduction system in swine hearts
Authors: Hanami Maki , Anetai Hidaka , Anetai Saori , Kojima Ryuhei , Tokita Kounosuke
Published: November 2022

The cardiac conduction system (CCS) is crucial for regulating heartbeats; therefore, clinicians and comedicals involved in cardiovascular medicine treatment must have a thorough understanding of the CCS structure and function. However, anatomical education of the CCS based on actual dissection and observation is uncommon, although such educational methodology promotes three‐dimensional structural understanding of the observed object. Based on previous studies, we examined the CCS structure in the heart of a swine (pig, Sus scrofa domestica) which has been used in the biological, medical and anatomical curricula as science teaching materials, by using macroscopic dissection procedures. Most CCS structures in a young pig heart were successfully identified and illustrated on a macroscopic scale. The atrioventricular bundle (His bundle) was located on the lower edge of the membranous interventricular septum and was clearly distinguished from the general myocardial fibres by its colour and fibre arrangement direction. Following the atrioventricular bundle towards the atrium or ventricle with properly removing the endocardium and myocardium, the atrioventricular node or the right and left bundles appeared respectively. In contrast, the sinoatrial node was not identified. The anatomy of the CCS in young pig hearts was essentially similar to that previously reported in humans and several domestic animals. Our findings of the CCS in young pig hearts are expected to be useful for medical and anatomical education for medical and comedical students, young clinicians and comedical workers.
From Georges Sorel to Peter Costello: Peter Coleman and the Making of Australian Liberal Conservatism
Authors: Robinson Geoffrey
Published: November 2022

Peter Coleman was the most significant intellectual advocate of a liberal‐conservative politics in Australia from the mid‐twentieth century well into the early twenty‐first century. His worldview drew upon John Anderson, Michael Oakeshott, and Georges Sorel rather than Edmund Burke or John Stuart Mill. Coleman's work demonstrates that Australian liberal‐conservatism is not a coalition but a fusion in which liberal and conservative concepts were translated into a programme for political action. Coleman argued that neoconservatism, in particular the examples of Irving Kristol and Edward Shils, best represented this fusion, but Coleman was also drawn to the traditionalist conservatism of James McAuley. This article applies a morphological approach, as pioneered by Michael Freeden, to the analysis of Coleman's ideological position and focuses on his understandings of liberty, order, and progress. It not only draws upon Coleman's Masters' dissertation upon Sorel, his published writings, parliamentary speeches, but also considers his performance as a government minister and Liberal Party leader in New South Wales and his influence upon Peter Costello.
Ultrasound‐guided genicular nerves block vs. local infiltration analgesia for total knee arthroplasty: a randomised controlled non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Cuñat T. , Mejía J. , Tatjer I. , Comino O. , Nuevo‐Gayoso M. , Martín N. , Tió M. , Basora M. , Sala‐Blanch X.
Published: November 2022

Genicular nerves block is a promising technique to treat acute postoperative pain in total knee arthroplasty. Similar to surgeon‐administered local infiltration analgesia, it targets sensory branches from the knee capsule, but through a selective ultrasound‐guided injection that reduces local anaesthetic dose (150 ml ropivacaine 0.2% with local infiltration analgesia vs. 20 ml with genicular nerves block). This randomised non‐inferiority trial compared the analgesic efficacy of genicular nerves block vs. local infiltration analgesia in the first 24 h following total knee arthroplasty. Sixty patients were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound‐guided block of five genicular nerves or local infiltration analgesia. The primary outcome was rest pain numeric rating scale (0–10) at 24 h. Secondary outcomes included pain numeric rating scale (rest and movement) and cumulative opioid consumption during the first 24 h. We analysed 29 patients in the genicular nerves block group and 30 in the local infiltration analgesia group. We found that the median difference (95%CI) in postoperative rest pain at 24 h (non‐inferiority criteria, Δ = 1) was −1.0 (−2.0 to 1.0, p < 0.001). Median difference in cumulative opioid consumption was 0.0 mg (−3.0–5.0, p < 0.001) meeting the non‐inferiority criteria, Δ = 23 mg. We conclude that genicular nerves block of five nerves provides non‐inferior analgesia in the first 24 h following surgery compared with local infiltration analgesia, but with a considerable reduction in the local anaesthetic dose.
Social distancing‐induced deceleration can enhance subjective well‐being
Authors: Schad Daniel J. , Rabovsky Milena
Published: November 2022

Modern societies provide an abundance of opportunities, which could lead to acceleration and time poverty, thereby paradoxically limiting well‐being. This study examines this issue using social distancing measures introduced during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We analyzed a data set of over four million responses, collected by the German online newspaper “ZEIT ONLINE,” where people responded to the question “How are you today?” with “good” or “bad,” assessing subjective well‐being, and an optional self‐descriptive adjective of mood. The results showed that subjective well‐being significantly increased with the onset of social distancing regulations. This increase was closely accompanied by a rise in adjectives associated with deceleration, the daily usage of which best predicted daily well‐being during COVID‐19. Factor analysis showed that Factor 1 best predicted daily well‐being and was effectively described by adjectives associated with deceleration. An analysis of potential mechanisms of deceleration during the pandemic revealed lower stress levels during workdays and weekends, as well as better sleep. These findings provide large‐scale support to theories suggesting that acceleration and time poverty in modern societies may impair well‐being.
Review article: the role of HSD17B13 on global epidemiology, natural history, pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD
Authors: Amangurbanova Maral , Huang Daniel Q. , Loomba Rohit
Published: November 2022

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs in around a quarter of the global population and is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease. The phenotypic manifestation and the severity of NAFLD are influenced by an interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Recently, several inactivating variants in the novel 17‐Beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) gene have been found to be associated with a reduced risk of chronic liver diseases, including NAFLD.

Aims

To review the existing literature on the epidemiology of HSD17B13 and discuss its role in the natural history, disease pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD.

Methods

We extensively searched relevant literature in PubMed, Google Scholar, clinicaltrials.gov and the reference list of articles included in the review.

Results

HSD17B13 is a liver‐specific, lipid droplet (LD)‐associated protein that has enzymatic pathways involving steroids, pro‐inflammatory lipid mediators and retinol. The estimated prevalence of the best characterised HSD17B13 variant (rs72613567) ranges from 5% in Africa to 34% in East Asia. Loss‐of‐function variants in HSD17B13 are protective against the progression of NAFLD from simple steatosis to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Emerging data from mechanistic and preclinical studies with RNA interference (RNAi) and small molecule agents indicate that inhibiting HSD17B13 activity may prevent NAFLD progression.

Conclusions

The loss‐of‐function polymorphisms of the newly identified HSD17B13 gene mitigate the progression of NAFLD. It is important to understand the exact mechanism by which these variants exert a protective effect and implement the gathered knowledge in the treatment of NAFLD.
A model of leisure involvement, residential satisfaction, and place attachment in passive older migrants
Authors: Jin Wenmin , Yoon Hyejin , Lee Seoki
Published: November 2022

Although the influence of mobility on place attachment has received attention in the literature, this relationship varies between groups. Unlike those who move to enjoy their retirement, for example, older migrants arriving in Shenzhen come to the city ‘passively,’ drawn by the needs of their children. This paper advances understanding of the concept of place attachment by illustrating the relationships between its components. Analysis of interview and questionnaire responses revealed the following relationships between three focal components of place attachment. Place dependence first directly influenced affective attachment and then indirectly affected place identity. Leisure involvement had a positive impact on place dependence and affective attachment but no direct effect on place identity. Residential satisfaction was an antecedent of all three focal dimensions of place attachment. No direct relationship was found between leisure involvement and residential satisfaction.
Prospecting digital urban futures in practice
Authors: Yeo Si Jie Ivin
Published: November 2022

This paper engages with digital urban futures prospectively, departing from most existing geographical work that has tended to explore the future retrospectively. I do so by first discussing a methodology that is sensitive to the meanings and significations of the future as well as future‐making as an active process, or as ‘practised’. I argue that such an orientation is necessary to challenge the established view of the future as an endpoint or as a priori in social and cultural geography and, correspondingly, invite a more processual and emergent understanding of the future as multiple, never complete and always becoming. Using the example of Singapore's Smart Nation initiative, I then show how this methodological approach can be employed to study the way urban dwellers encounter, engage and evaluate possible futures in their everyday spaces and lives. Focusing on futures prospectively is significant insofar as it directs attention to their relationality and open‐endedness, which, in turn, provides the latitude to consider and construct different forms of futures. Beyond the methodological contribution, this paper offers an epistemological intervention that not only unpicks how knowledge about the future is currently produced in the literature but also multiplies our ways of studying futurity and future‐making.
Case series profile of olanzapine post‐injection delirium/sedation syndrome
Authors: Seebaluck Jason , Downes Michael A. , Brown Jared , Harris Keith , Isoardi Katherine Z. , Chan Betty S.
Published: November 2022

Olanzapine pamoate is an intramuscular depot injection for the treatment of schizophrenia. Approximately 1.4% of patients develop a serious adverse event called post‐injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS), characterised by drowsiness, anticholinergic and extrapyramidal symptoms. The objective is to investigate olanzapine PDSS presentations including clinical features and treatment approach. This is a retrospective review of olanzapine PDSS patients from three toxicology units and the NSW Poisons Information Centre between 2017 and 2022. Adult patients were included if they had intramuscular olanzapine then developed PDSS criteria. Clinical symptoms, treatment, timing and length of symptoms were extracted into a preformatted Excel database. There were 18 patients included in the series, with a median age of 49 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 38–58) and male predominance (89%). Median onset time post injection was 30 min (IQR: 11–38). PDSS symptoms predominate with drowsiness, confusion and dysarthria. Median length of symptoms was 24 h (IQR: 20–54). Most common treatment included supportive care without any pharmacological intervention (n = 10), benzodiazepine (n = 4) and benztropine (n = 3). In one case, bromocriptine and physostigmine followed by oral rivastigmine were given to manage antidopaminergic and anticholinergic symptoms respectively. This proposed treatment combination could potentially alleviate some of the symptoms but needs further studies to validate the findings. In conclusion, this case series supports the characterisation of PDSS symptomology predominantly being anticholinergic with similar onset (<1 h) and duration (<72 h). Bromocriptine is proposed to manage PDSS if patients develop severe dopamine blockade and physostigmine followed by rivastigmine for anticholinergic delirium.
Rewriting the genetic bond: Gene editing and our understanding of genetic parenthood
Authors: Simana Shelly , Ravitsky Vardit
Published: November 2022

One of the most prominent justifications for the use of germline gene editing (GGE) is that it would allow parents to have a “genetically related child” while preventing the transmission of genetic disorders. However, we argue that since future uses of GGE may involve large‐scale genetic modifications, they may affect the genetic relatedness between parents and offspring in a meaningful way: Due to certain genetic modifications, children may inherit much less than 50% of their DNA from each parent. We show that the reduction in genetic relatedness between parents and offspring has three important social and legal implications. First, the desire for a genetically related child may end up not being the strong justification it is currently thought to be for the use of GGE. Second, prospective parents may be reluctant to use GGE because of a potential loss of genetic relatedness. Third, in some jurisdictions, parents who would not pass on “enough” DNA to their child may not be recognized as the child's legal parents. We further argue that the reduction in genetic relatedness challenges current conceptions of genetic parenthood that rely on the quantity of DNA shared with the child or on whether the child was directly derived from the parent's genes. We suggest that genetic parenthood should instead be determined based on the nature of the genetic modifications and whether the child's numerical identity has been preserved after the editing process.