bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are your customers grateful? How customer gratitude impacts loyalty programme effectiveness
Authors: Audrain-Pontevia Anne-Françoise , Garnier Isabelle
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify which loyalty programme (LP) benefits are most likely to create consumer gratitude and increase loyalty towards the brand for consumer goods and services loyalty schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

French-speaking Quebecer (Canada) members of retail LPs answered an online survey. The S-O-R framework was used to investigate the effects of LP benefits on customer loyalty to the brand through the mediating mechanism of gratitude. Data analysis was performed by means of partial least square structural equation modelling.

Findings

Three benefits (entertainment, recognition and social) out of five were identified to significantly enhance customer gratitude towards the brand. Neither monetary nor exploration benefits had a direct effect on gratitude or loyalty. In addition, gratitude was positively and strongly related to loyalty and fully mediated the effects of entertainment and recognition benefits on loyalty. As for social benefits, gratitude complementarily mediated their relationship to loyalty.

Practical implications

The findings are of utmost interest to LP managers. They offer valuable insights to maintain or modify LPs to enhance customer true loyalty. First, they highlight the strategic role of gratitude, which strongly determines customer loyalty. Second, this study's findings indicate which LP benefits should be prioritised to enhance customer gratitude and loyalty.

Originality/value

This research is the first empirical attempt to study the effects of LP perceived benefits on customer gratitude. It addresses the paucity of research on customer gratitude and enhances its importance in retail and relationship literature.
Experimental study of pin surface precision on lubrication behavior of pin–bush pairs in industrial roller chains
Authors: Zhang Ansheng , Zhang Mingyu , Wang Jing , Zhang Jianjun , Shang Zhaohua , Liu Yi , Dai Longjie
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of surface precision on the lubrication state of the roller chain under adequate and rare oil supply conditions, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The straightness error and roughness error of the pin generatrices were measured and the influence of surface precision on the lubrication behavior under steady state and reciprocating motion was studied through optical interference experiments.

Findings

The lubrication state is strongly influenced by the surface precision of the roller surface both under adequate oil supply and rare oil supply conditions.

Originality/value

In industrial applications, the machining errors of parts cannot be completely eliminated. Studying the influence of the surface precision on the lubrication behavior of pin–bush pairs can provide the experimental basis for the optimal design of the bush roller chains.
Does intellectual capital have any influence on stock price crash risk?
Authors: Probohudono Agung Nur , Pratiwi Adelia Dyaning , Rochmatullah Mahameru Rosy
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper explores the influence between intellectual capital (IC) and the risk of stock price crashes by using company performance as an intervening variable.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically analyzes the impact of the efficiency of IC on stock price crash risk using a sample size of 152 companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during 2018. To test the research hypotheses, regression analysis and path analysis were applied. In addition, the researchers added exploration to several studies to strengthen the results of this study.

Findings

This study’s findings indicate that investors' optimistic (pessimistic) sentiment regarding stock price volatility has obscured aspects of the financial performance of listed companies. This finding implies that investor sentiment has dominated influence on stock price crash risk so that the aspects of IC are obscured.

Originality/value

This research provides new information that IC disclosure in the stock market needs to include knowledge of the volatility of stock prices in order to reveal stock price crash risk.
Ethical leadership and organizational commitment: the dual perspective of social exchange and empowerment
Authors: Kim Dongkyu , Vandenberghe Christian
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Given recent prominent ethical scandals (e.g. Tesla, Uber) and the increasing demand for ethical management, the importance of business ethics has recently surged. One area that needs further research regards how ethical leaders can foster followers’ organizational commitment. Drawing upon social exchange theory, the current research proposes that ethical leadership relates to follower affective and normative commitment through perceived organizational support (POS). Moreover, based on self-determination theory, we expected follower psychological empowerment to positively moderate the relationship between ethical leadership and commitment components.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a three-wave study among employees from multiple organizations (N = 297) in Canada. Structural equations modeling and bootstrapping analyses were applied to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that ethical leadership was positively related to follower affective and normative commitment through POS. Furthermore, the relationship between ethical leadership and POS was stronger at high levels of empowerment. This moderating effect extended to the indirect relationship between ethical leadership and commitment components.

Originality/value

This study counts among the few investigations that have examined the mechanisms linking ethical leadership to followers’ organizational commitment and boundary conditions associated with this relationship. Moreover, our findings were obtained while controlling for transformational leadership, which highlights the incremental validity of ethical leadership.
Yesterday's workers in Tomorrow's world
Authors: Toshav-Eichner Nirit , Bareket-Bojmel Liad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study sought to examine the attitudes of blue-collar workers toward job automation. The study examined the relations between job automation, fear of job loss and self-actualization.

Design/methodology/approach

Using mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative analysis) with 539 participants overall, we examined employees' attitudes toward job automation through two separate studies conducted in a large public organization that employs blue-, white- and pink-collar employees. The blue-collar workers who participated consisted of waste collectors, gardeners and parking supervisors whose work is at risk of job automation.

Findings

We found that 74% of the blue-collar employees described technology as a “replacer” that simplifies and reduces human work activities, while only 3% perceived it as an “enabler” that could enrich their jobs and expand human potential. Fifty-three percent of the employees in the white-collar professions described technology as a “replacer,” and 36% perceived it as an “enabler.” Among pink-collar workers, 51% perceived technology as an “enabler,” while only 14% perceived it as a “replacer.” A positive relationship between job automation and self-actualization was evident for pink- and white-collar workers, but not for blue-collar workers.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on how employees in different types of jobs perceive technological advancements at work. A classification of the perception of technology as an “enabler” vs a “replacer” is presented. The relationships between job automation and self-actualization in different job types are explored.
Eicosanoid profiling in patients with complete form of pachydermoperiostosis carrying SLCO2A1 mutations
Authors: Oiwa Tomohiro , Ishibashi Mami , Okuno Toshiaki , Ohba Mai , Endo Yuichiro , Uozumi Ryuji , Ghazawi Feras M. , Yoshida Kazue , Niizeki Hironori , Yokomizo Takehiko , Nomura Takashi , Kabashima Kenji
Published: June 2021

Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) is a genetic disease characterized by digital clubbing, periostosis, and pachydermia caused by mutated HPGD or SLCO2A1. Plasma prostaglandin (PG)E2 levels are increased in these patients. However, other eicosanoids have not been quantitated. We aimed to quantitate plasma eicosanoid levels in four patients carrying SLCO2A1 mutations by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. PGE2 level was elevated in all patients; PGD2 and 11β‐PGF2α levels were also increased in some patients, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid levels were decreased in all patients. Our data indicate a dysfunctional eicosanoid homeostasis and varied levels of PG in patients with a complete form of PDP carrying SLCO2A1 mutations. PGE2 levels seem to mostly affect the symptoms, with other eicosanoids possibly having a minor effect.
Commonwealth place‐based policies for addressing geographically concentrated disadvantage: A typology and critical analysis
Authors: Hart Aaron , Connolly Julie
Published: June 2021

A suite of ‘place‐based’ Commonwealth policy frameworks to address geographically concentrated socio‐economic disadvantage foreground local knowledge and devolve some decisions to multi‐government and local agent governance bodies. We analyse these policies with reference to Dewey's theory of democratic experimentalism, focussing on how publics are constituted in place and enrolled in processes of deliberation and problematisation, and on how policy success is framed. We categorise ‘place‐based’ policies into three groups. Statutory collaboration policies enable coordinated intergovernmental investment in regional economic regeneration and enact broad publics through a concern with economic growth. Collective impact policies commission for social service integration and figure the users and providers of social services as their publics. Indigenous partnership policies are concerned with ‘self‐reliance’, economic participation, and empowerment among Indigenous people. We find that only the policies in the latter type clearly provide their publics with epistemic or decision‐making power. Further research on the implementation of collective impact policies would be necessary to determine their participatory scope, and statutory collaboration policies provide little opportunity for input from their publics. Our aim is to highlight the democratic significance of who is included in place‐based deliberations and what is deemed to be valuable.
Pilot‐scale production and physicochemical characterisation of spray‐dried nanoparticulated whey protein powders
Authors: Guralnick Jacob R , Panthi Ram R , Bot Francesca , Cenini Valeria L , O’Hagan Barry MG , Crowley Shane V , O’Mahony James A
Published: June 2021

Spray‐dried whey protein isolate (WPI) powders were prepared at pilot‐scale from solutions without heat (WPIUH), heated (WPIH) or heated with calcium (WPIHCa), which were analysed and compared with a control sample (WPIC). WPIC, WPIUH, WPIH and WPIHCa solutions had whey protein denaturation levels of 0.0, 3.2, 64.4 and 74.4%, respectively. Computerised tomography scanning showed that 52.6, 84.0, 74.5 and 41.9% of WPIC, WPIUH, WPIH and WPIHCa powder particles had diameters of ≤30 µm. WPIHCa and WPIH powders were cohesive, while WPIC and WPIUH powders were easy flowing. Marked differences in microstructure were observed between WPIH and WPIHCa. There were no measured differences in wall friction, bulk density or colour.
Asset‐Level Transparency and the (E)valuation of Asset‐Backed Securities
Authors: NEILSON JED J. , RYAN STEPHEN G. , WANG K. PHILIP , XIE BIQIN
Published: June 2021

As of November 2016, SEC Regulation (“Reg”) AB II requires issuers of certain types of asset‐backed securities (“ABS”) to disclose the credit‐risk attributes of each asset in the underlying pool, a substantial expansion of prior disclosure requirements. We examine how ABS issuers’ asset‐level disclosures under Reg AB II affect the (e)valuation of ABS by investors and credit rating agencies. Using difference‐in‐differences models that compare affected and unaffected types of ABS, we find that these disclosures improve the ability of initial ABS yields and credit ratings to predict the performance of the underlying assets. These results are concentrated in deals with above‐median risk layering in the underlying assets and complexity in the tranching of credit risk. We further find that asset‐level disclosures are associated with lower yields. Lastly, we provide evidence that most prospective ABS investors download asset‐level information during the price formation period prior to ABS issuance.
Blocking utilization of major plant biomass polysaccharides leads Aspergillusniger towards utilization of minor components
Authors: Kun Roland S. , Garrigues Sandra , Di Falco Marcos , Tsang Adrian , de Vries Ronald P.
Published: June 2021

Fungi produce a wide range of enzymes that allow them to grow on diverse plant biomass. Wheat bran is a low‐cost substrate with high potential for biotechnological applications. It mainly contains cellulose and (arabino)xylan, as well as starch, proteins, lipids and lignin to a lesser extent. In this study, we dissected the regulatory network governing wheat bran degradation in Aspergillus niger to assess the relative contribution of the regulators to the utilization of this plant biomass substrate. Deletion of genes encoding transcription factors involved in (hemi‐)cellulose utilization (XlnR, AraR, ClrA and ClrB) individually and in combination significantly reduced production of polysaccharide‐degrading enzymes, but retained substantial growth on wheat bran. Proteomic analysis suggested the ability of A. niger to grow on other carbon components, such as starch, which was confirmed by the additional deletion of the amylolytic regulator AmyR. Growth was further reduced but not impaired, indicating that other minor components provide sufficient energy for residual growth, displaying the flexibility of A. niger, and likely other fungi, in carbon utilization. Better understanding of the complexity and flexibility of fungal regulatory networks will facilitate the generation of more efficient fungal cell factories that use plant biomass as a substrate.
An efficient and regioselective biocatalytic synthesis of aromatic N‐oxides by using a soluble di‐iron monooxygenase PmlABCDEF produced in the Pseudomonas species
Authors: Petkevičius Vytautas , Vaitekūnas Justas , Gasparavičiūtė Renata , Tauraitė Daiva , Meškys Rolandas
Published: June 2021

Here, we present an improved whole‐cell biocatalysis system for the synthesis of heteroaromatic N‐oxides based on the production of a soluble di‐iron monooxygenase PmlABCDEF in Pseudomonas sp. MIL9 and Pseudomonas putida KT2440. The presented biocatalysis system performs under environmentally benign conditions, features a straightforward and inexpensive procedure and possesses a high substrate conversion and product yield. The capacity of gram‐scale production was reached in the simple shake‐flask cultivation. The template substrates (pyridine, pyrazine, 2‐aminopyrimidine) have been converted into pyridine‐1‐oxide, pyrazine‐1‐oxide and 2‐aminopyrimidine‐1‐oxide in product titres of 18.0, 19.1 and 18.3 g l‐1, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the highest reported productivity of aromatic N‐oxides using biocatalysis methods. Moreover, comparing to the chemical method of aromatic N‐oxides synthesis based on meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid, the developed approach is applicable for a regioselective oxidation that is an additional advantageous option in the preparation of the anticipated N‐oxides.
Untargeted metabolomics analysis by gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry of human serum from methamphetamine abusers
Authors: Wang Tingwei , Xu Chunyang , Xu Shiying , Gao Lu , Blaženović Ivana , Ji Jian , Wang Jun , Sun Xiulan
Published: June 2021

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse has become a global public health problem. However, the potential mechanisms involving METH‐induced metabolic disorders have thus far remained poorly understood. Metabolomics can provide a clue for the cause of apparent changes and consequently be used to investigate the METH‐induced dysregulation of metabolite expression and the mechanism of metabolic disorder mechanism. This laboratory investigation included 80 METH abusers and 80 healthy people. The serum metabolites were detected and analysed by gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Raw data were processed with the software MS DIAL, which includes deconvolution, peak alignment and compound identification. The data matrix was processed by univariate and multivariate analyses for significant metabolite screening with the criteria of variable importance in projection values > 1, fold change > 1.5 and the t test (p value < 0.05). Significant differences in 16 metabolites (deoxycholic acid, cholic acid, hydroxylamine, etc.) in serum were found between the METH abuse group and the control group. Energy metabolic pathways and several amino acid metabolic pathways (alanine, aspartic acid and glutamate metabolism and tryptophan metabolism) were primarily involved. Further analysis indicated that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.998 for these 16 metabolites. Among the metabolites, three carbohydrates (d‐ribose, cellobiose and maltotriose) had an AUC of 0.975, which were determined as potential markers of abuse. We observed metabolic disturbances in METH abusers, particularly perturbation in energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism, which can provide new insights into the search for biomarkers and the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of METH on human health.
The impact of sweet food tax on producers and household spending—Evidence from Hungary
Authors: Bíró Anikó
Published: June 2021

Since 2011, a wide range of unhealthy food and drink are subject to a specific excise tax in Hungary. We analyze how this tax affected the revenue, sales volume, personnel costs, and size of sweet food producers, and compare these results to estimated effects on household spending on sugary food. We base our analysis on administrative data sets of firm level indicators, and survey data on household spending. We apply the estimation method of difference‐in‐differences, where firms producing untaxed processed food (in the firm level analysis) and household spending on food categories directly not affected by the tax (in the household level analysis) serve as control groups. Our results suggest strong negative short‐run effects of the unhealthy food tax on firms’ inland sales volume, and moderate effects on inland sales revenue and personnel costs. These results correspond to the moderate estimated effects on household spending on sugary food. The reducing effects diminish in about 3 years after the introduction of the tax—overlapping with the recovery of the Hungarian economy from recession. Our findings suggest that the impacts of an unhealthy food tax strongly depend on the economic conditions.
Time matters—a Swedish cohort study of labor duration and risk of uterine rupture
Authors: Hesselman Susanne , Lampa Erik , Wikman Anna , Törn Anna E. , Högberg Ulf , Wikström Anna‐Karin , Jonsson Maria
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Uterine rupture is an obstetric emergency associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity. The main risk factor is a prior cesarean section, with rupture occurring in subsequent labor. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of uterine rupture by labor duration and labor management.

Material and methods

This is a Swedish register‐based cohort study of women who underwent labor in 2013–2018 after a primary cesarean section (n = 20 046). Duration of labor was the main exposure, calculated from onset of regular labor contractions and birth; both timepoints were retrieved from electronic medical records for 12 583 labors, 63% of the study population. Uterine rupture was calculated as events per 1000 births at different timepoints during labor. Risk estimates for uterine rupture by labor duration, induction of labor, use of oxytocin and epidural analgesia were calculated using Poisson regression, adjusted for maternal and birth characteristics. Estimates were presented as adjusted rate ratios (ARR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The prevalence of uterine rupture was 1.4% (282/20 046 deliveries). Labor duration was 9.88 hours (95% CI 8.93–10.83) for women with uterine rupture, 8.20 hours (95% CI 8.10–8.31) for women with vaginal delivery, and 10.71 hours (95% CI 10.46–10.97) for women with cesarean section without uterine rupture. Few women (1.0/1000) experienced uterine rupture during the first 3 hours of labor. Uterine rupture occurred in 15.6/1000 births with labor duration over 12 hours. The highest risk for uterine rupture per hour compared with vaginal delivery was observed at 6 hours (ARR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11–1.30). Induction of labor was associated with uterine rupture (ARR 1.54, 95% CI 1.19–1.99), with a particular high risk seen in those induced with prostaglandins and no risk observed with cervical catheter (ARR 1.19, 95% CI 0.83–1.71). Labor augmentation with oxytocin (ARR 1.60, 95% CI 1.25–2.05) and epidural analgesia (ARR 1.63, 95% CI 1.27–2.10) were also associated with uterine rupture.

Conclusions

Labor duration is an independent factor for uterine rupture among women attempting vaginal delivery after cesarean section. Medical induction and augmentation of labor increase the risk, regardless of maternal and birth characteristics.
Suicide prevention andCOVID‐19
Authors: Ivbijaro Gabriel , Kolkiewicz Lucja , Goldberg David , N'jie Isatou N. S. , Edwards Todd , Riba Michelle B. , Švab Igor , Geller Jeffrey , Enum Yaccub
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Suicide prevention during Covid 19 has become a global priority because the current pandemic has led to societal difficulties threatening the fabric of our lifestyle with increased morbidity and mortality. Modelling studies published since the COVID 19 pandemic was declared in March 2020 estimate that suicide rates will increase by anywhere between 1% to 145% globally in response to the pandemic and action needs to be taken.

Methods

A narrative literature review on high quality evidence sources limited to human studies and publications written in English language only has been used to examine the relationship of COVID 19 and existing mental illness or history of mental illness, suicide prevention strategies and changes in overall suicide rates.

Results

A total of 39 papers are summarised and grouped using the headings aetiological factors, proposed interventions to increase access and national policies to provide a framework for suicide prevention during pandemics such as COVID 19. This review indicates that 1) investing in active labour market programmes will result in a decreased suicide rate during times of high unemployment 2) People in low paid and casual jobs require specific support because they are most financially vulnerable during a pandemic related crisis 3) Women require specific support during a pandemic because of the type of employment they have and because they often carry a greater proportion of the domestic burden and are at increased risk of domestic violence during lockdown and crisis 4) Mental health and substance misuse services need to be appropriately funded and prioritised during and post pandemic, due to the associated increase in substance misuse during a pandemic causing worsening mental health and increased risk of suicide 5) National Suicide Prevention Strategies should be developed by all countries and should anticipate response to a range of disasters, including a pandemic 6) Suicide prevention is everybody's business and National Suicide Prevention Strategies should adopt a whole‐systems approach including mental health services, primary care, social care, NGO's and other community stakeholders 7) Suicide is preventable 8) It is essential to prioritise suicide prevention strategies in the COVID and post‐COVID period to ensure that lives are saved.

Discussion

Increase in suicide is not inevitable and suicide prevention during pandemics and post COVID 19 pandemics requires a collaborative whole system approach. We require real time data to inform dynamic action planning.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis: the incidence and prevalence of paediatric coeliac disease across Europe
Authors: Roberts Stephen E. , Morrison‐Rees Sian , Thapar Nikhil , Benninga Marc A. , Borrelli Osvaldo , Broekaert Ilse , Dolinsek Jernej , Martin‐de‐Carpi Javier , Mas Emmanuel , Miele Erasmo , Pienar Corina , Ribes‐Koninckx Carmen , Thomassen Rut A. , Thomson Mike , Tzivinikos Christos , Thorne Kymberley , John Ann , Williams John G.
Published: June 2021

Background

Coeliac disease is one of the most prevalent immune‐mediated gastrointestinal disorders in children.

Aim

To review the incidence and prevalence of paediatric coeliac disease, and their trends, regionally across Europe, overall and according to age at diagnosis.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analysis from January 1, 1950 to December 31, 2019, based on PubMed, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library, searches of grey literature and websites and hand searching of reference lists. A total of 127 eligible studies were included.

Results

The prevalence of previously undiagnosed coeliac disease from screening surveys (histology based) ranged from 0.10% to 3.03% (median = 0.70%), with a significantly increasing annual trend (P = 0.029). Prevalence since 2000 was significantly higher in northern Europe (1.60%) than in eastern (0.98%), southern (0.69%) and western (0.60%) Europe. Large increases in the incidence of diagnosed coeliac disease across Europe have reached 50 per 100 000 person‐years in Scandinavia, Finland and Spain. The median age at diagnosis increased from 1.9 years before 1990 to 7.6 since 2000. Larger increases in incidence were found in older age groups than in infants and ages <5 years.

Conclusions

Paediatric coeliac disease incidence and prevalence have risen across Europe and appear highest in Scandinavia, Finland and Spain. The most recent evidence shows large increases in incidence in most regions, but stabilisation in some (notably Sweden and Finland). Sharp increases in the age at diagnosis may reflect increases in milder and asymptomatic cases diagnosed since reliable serology testing became widely used, through endomysial antibodies after 1990 and tissue transglutaminase antibodies around 2000.
Systematic review: societal cost of illness of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing due to biologics and varies between continents
Authors: van Linschoten Reinier Cornelis Anthonius , Visser Elyke , Niehot Christa Diana , van der Woude C. Janneke , Hazelzet Jan Antonius , van Noord Desirée , West Rachel Louise
Published: June 2021

Background

Knowledge of the cost of illness of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is essential for health policy makers worldwide.

Aim

To assess the cost of illness of IBD from the societal perspective taking into account time trends and geographical differences.

Methods

A systematic review of all population‐based studies on cost of illness of IBD published in Embase, Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Methodology of included studies was assessed and costs were adjusted to 2018 US dollars.

Results

Study methodologies differed considerably, with large differences in perspective, valuation method and population. For prevalent Crohn's disease (CD) cases in the last ten years annual healthcare costs were in Asia $4417 (range $1230‐$31 161); Europe $12 439 ($7694‐$15 807) and North America $17 495 ($14 454‐$20 535). For ulcerative colitis (UC), these were $1606 ($309‐$14 572), $7224 ($3228‐$9779) and $13 559 ($13 559‐$13 559). The main cost driver was medication, the cost of which increased considerably between 1985 and 2018, while outpatient and inpatient costs remained stable. IBD had a negative impact on work productivity. Annual costs of absenteeism for CD and UC were in Asia (with presenteeism) $5638 ($5638‐$5638) and $4828 ($4828‐$4828); Europe $2660 ($641‐$5277) and $2394 ($651‐$5992); North America $752 ($307‐$1303) and $1443 ($85‐$2350).

Conclusion

IBD societal cost of illness is increasing, driven by growing costs of medication, and varies considerably between continents. While biologic therapy was expected to decrease inpatient costs by reducing hospitalisations and surgery, these costs have not declined.
Characterisation of patients with supine nighttime reflux: observations made with prolonged wireless oesophageal pH monitoring
Authors: Oude Nijhuis Renske A. B. , Sweis Rami , Abdul‐Razakq Humayra , Schuitenmaker Jeroen M. , Wong Terry , Rusu Radu‐Ionut , Oors Jac. , Smout Andreas J. P. M. , Bredenoord Albert J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Although nighttime reflux symptoms are common, the presence of nocturnal reflux is seldom confirmed with a standard 24 hours pH study.

Aim

To study patients with supine nighttime reflux symptoms using prolonged wireless pH monitoring.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients with typical acid reflux symptoms were studied using 96‐h pH monitoring. Patients with nighttime reflux symptoms were compared to those without. Night‐to‐night variability and diagnostic accuracy of 24‐, 48‐ and 72‐hours pH studies compared to the 96‐hours “gold standard” were evaluated.

Results

Of the 105 included patients (61.9% females; mean age 46.8 ± 14.4 years), 86 (81.9%) reported nighttime reflux symptoms, of which 67.4% had pathological supine nocturnal acid exposure in at least one night. There was high variance in night‐to‐night acid exposure (94% [IQR0‐144]), which was larger than the variance in upright acid exposure (58% [IQR32‐88]; P < 0.001). When analysing the first 24 hours of the pH study, 32% of patients were diagnosed with pathological supine nighttime acid exposure versus 51% of patients based upon the 96‐hours pH‐test. The diagnostic accuracy and yield improved with study duration (P < 0.001). Reflux episodes with a lower nadir pH or longer acid clearance time were more prone to provoke nightly symptoms.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with nocturnal reflux symptoms had pathological acid exposure in at least one night of the prolonged pH recording. A high night‐to‐night variability in acid exposure reduces the clinical value and diagnostic yield of pH monitoring limited to 24 hours. Prolonged testing is a more appropriate diagnostic tool for patients with nocturnal reflux symptoms.
Giving birth during the COVID‐19 pandemic, perspectives from a sample of the United States birthing persons during the first wave: March‐June 2020
Authors: Breman Rachel Blankstein , Neerland Carrie , Bradley Dani , Burgess Adriane , Barr Erik , Burcher Paul
Published: June 2021

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic forced hospitals in the United States to adjust policy and procedure in order to provide safe care and prevent the spread of disease. At the beginning of the pandemic, media and case reports described pressure for medical interventions, visitor restrictions, separation from newborns, and an increase in patient demand for community birth (home and birth center). The purpose of this study was to describe birth experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic centering the birthing person's perspective.

Methods

A survey was e‐mailed to users of the Ovia Pregnancy app reaching a national convenience sample who gave birth between March 1, 2020, and June 11, 2020. Survey topics included birth location, the Mothers on Respect index, and open‐ended questions capturing patient perspectives on the pandemic's effect on their birth experiences. Differences were assessed based on state‐level COVID rate and by race. Content analysis was performed to analyze open‐ended responses.

Results

Respondents from highly impacted COVID‐19 states more frequently changed or considered changing their birth location. Racial differences were also found with Black respondents reporting significantly more preterm births and lower respect scores when compared to White respondents. Six themes emerged from the content analysis: Institutional Policies, Changes in Care, Hospital Staff Interactions, Sub‐par Care, Issues of Support, and Mental Health.

Discussion

The health care community must continue to adapt policies and procedures to best support birthing patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The community must also continue to address the reality that Black patients receive less respectful care compared with White patients.
Algorithmic versus teacher‐led sequencing in a digital serious game and the development of second language reading fluency and accuracy
Authors: Serra Judit , Gilabert Roger
Published: June 2021

Recent years have seen a surge of calls for personalization of education. Automatised adaptivity in serious games has been advocated as a potential instantiation of such calls. Yet little is known about the extent to which personalised learning through automatised adaptivity poses an advantage for language learning over generalised teacher‐led sequencing in digital, game‐based learning environments. The goal of this paper is to address this question by comparing the learning outcomes in reading accuracy and fluency of didactic sequences designed by EFL teachers or by an adaptive algorithm. A total of 67 participants completed several proficiency and reading skills pretest and posttest and used the iRead system for 6 months. Results showed that all learners made progress in reading skills, but no significant differences were found between the two sequences in relation to the development of reading skills. It was also shown that adaptivity works best if it leads to increase in the number of games per feature. Results are discussed in the context of previous findings, and the role of adaptivity and sequencing is critically assessed.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic?

Serious games have the potential to aid learning but empirical research is needed.

Findings about the efficiency of serious games are mixed.

Current and reviewed versions of the Simple View of Reading constitute a suitable framework to measure reading acquisition.

What this paper adds?

It contributes to the growing corpus of research on digital serious games.

It provides empirical evidence on the use of an adaptive system in formal education.

Comparing a teacher‐led sequence to an algorithmic adaptive sequence on the same digital serious game has never been done before.

The paper shows the need to obtain both system‐internal and system‐external data in order to capture the impact of gameplay on the development of L2 reading skills.

Implications for practise and/or policy

It sheds some light on how certain game designs may actually help practise with different degrees of intervention by teachers.

It is interesting for teachers to use an adaptive sequence that they can check and intervene in if needed.
Bone healing around titanium implants in a preclinical model of bile duct ligation‐induced liver injury
Authors: Talebian Reza , Kampleitner Carina , Sagl Benedikt , Kuchler Ulrike , Dehpour Ahmad Reza , Gruber Reinhard
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Chronic liver disease increases the risk for periodontal disease and osteoporotic fractures, but its impacts on bone regeneration remain unknown. Herein, we studied the impact of liver cirrhosis on peri‐implant bone formation.

Material and Methods

A total of 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: one with the common bile duct ligated (BDL) and the respective sham‐treated control group (SHAM). After four weeks of disease induction, titanium mini‐screws were inserted into the tibia. Successful induction of liver cirrhosis was confirmed by the presence of clinical symptoms. Another four weeks later, peri‐implant bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) and bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) were determined by histomorphometric analysis.

Results

Peri‐implant bone formation was not significantly different between the SHAM and BDL groups. In the cortical compartment, the median percentage of peri‐implant new bone was 10.1% (95% CI of mean 4.0–35.7) and 22.5% (13.8–30.6) in the SHAM and BDL groups, respectively (p = .26). Consistently, the new bone in direct contact with the implant was 18.1% (0.4–37.8) and 23.3% (9.2–32.8) in SHAM and BDL groups, respectively (p = .38). When measuring the medullary compartment, the new bone area was 7.1% (4.8–10.4) and 10.4% (7.2–13.5) in the SHAM and BDL groups, respectively (p = .17). Medullary new bone in direct contact with the implant was 10.0% (1.2–50.4) and 20.6% (16.8–35.3) in SHAM and BDL groups, respectively, and thus comparable between the two groups (p = .46).

Conclusions

Bile duct ligation has no significant impact on the early stages of peri‐implant bone formation.
Spinal microglial β‐endorphin signaling mediates IL‐10 and exenatide‐induced inhibition of synaptic plasticity in neuropathic pain
Authors: Ma Le , Peng Shiyu , Wei Jinbao , Zhao Mengjing , Ahmad Khalil Ali , Chen Jinghong , Wang Yong‐Xiang
Published: June 2021

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the regulation of pain hypersensitivity induced by the spinal synaptic transmission mechanisms underlying interleukin (IL)‐10 and glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1R) agonist exenatide‐induced pain anti‐hypersensitivity in neuropathic rats through spinal nerve ligations.

Methods

Neuropathic pain model was established by spinal nerve ligation of L5/L6 and verified by electrophysiological recording and immunofluorescence staining. Microglial expression of β‐endorphin through autocrine IL‐10‐ and exenatide‐induced inhibition of glutamatergic transmission were performed by behavioral tests coupled with whole‐cell recording of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) through application of endogenous and exogenous IL‐10 and β‐endorphin.

Results

Intrathecal injections of IL‐10, exenatide, and the μ‐opioid receptor (MOR) agonists β‐endorphin and DAMGO inhibited thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in neuropathic rats. Whole‐cell recordings of bath application of exenatide, IL‐10, and β‐endorphin showed similarly suppressed enhanced frequency and amplitude of the mEPSCs in the spinal dorsal horn neurons of laminae II, but did not reduce the frequency and amplitude of mIPSCs in neuropathic rats. The inhibitory effects of IL‐10 and exenatide on pain hypersensitive behaviors and spinal synaptic plasticity were totally blocked by pretreatment of IL‐10 antibody, β‐endorphin antiserum, and MOR antagonist CTAP. In addition, the microglial metabolic inhibitor minocycline blocked the inhibitory effects of IL‐10 and exenatide but not β‐endorphin on spinal synaptic plasticity.

Conclusion

This suggests that spinal microglial expression of β‐endorphin mediates IL‐10‐ and exenatide‐induced inhibition of glutamatergic transmission and pain hypersensitivity via presynaptic and postsynaptic MORs in spinal dorsal horn.
Traumatic aortic root rupture leading to acute aortic regurgitation and acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Nepal Subash , Raj Vijay , Chaudhuri Debanik , Barreto Stephany
Published: June 2021

A 17‐year‐old male sustained a blunt thoracic trauma after he had a dirt bike accident. He was admitted for the management of multiple fractures, was hemodynamically stable, and presented without any cardiac symptoms. The patient underwent transthoracic echocardiography and CT angiogram of the thorax as the workup of possible cardiac injury as he had a new aortic regurgitation murmur, troponin rise, and a new RBBB. Imaging showed aortic root rupture, type A aortic dissection involving aortic root and proximal ascending aorta, and acute severe aortic regurgitation, not typically seen with blunt thoracic trauma. The patient was immediately taken to the operating room, underwent a surgical aortic valve and root replacement with the Bentall procedure, and had a good outcome.
Season‐specific survival rates and densities of coastal cutthroat trout across stream sizes in southwestern British Columbia
Authors: Sheldon Kim A. , Richardson John S.
Published: June 2021

Variation in seasonal survival rates, densities and growth rates of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) were assessed across a size gradient of small, forested streams in the Pacific Northwest. We used a robust, mark‐recapture study, stratified seasonally to estimate monthly survival rates of trout in coastal British Columbia (not including young‐of‐the‐year). Survival estimates showed that the summer season had the lowest monthly survival rates (0.907) across all streams in our study (0.927 remainder of year). Within the size range of the seven small streams studied, low‐flow habitat availability (defined by residual pool depth in summer) was the best predictor of mean monthly survival rates, supporting the hypothesis that trout survival increases with the quantity of aquatic habitat, particularly depths of residual pools. In addition, there was an asymptotic relation between water depth and survival rates, where beyond ~20 cm of residual pool depth, greater depth did not confer greater rates of trout survival. Growth rates in all but the largest stream were also lowest during summer. While densities tended to be higher in streams with greater residual depth, this was not significant. Body mass in a given season was a good predictor of survival to the next sampling period. The distribution and success of resident cutthroat trout populations in small streams appear to be constrained by summer low‐flow periods and specific geomorphologies that support deeper pools.
Prevalence of acute dizziness and vertigo in cortical stroke
Authors: Man Chan Yuk , Wong Yean , Khalid Noorulain , Wastling Stephen , Flores‐Martin Andreas , Frank Lucy‐Anne , Koohi Nehzat , Arshad Qadeer , Davagnanam Indran , Kaski Diego
Published: June 2021

Background and purpose

In posterior circulation stroke, vertigo can be a presenting feature. However, whether isolated hemispheric strokes present with vertigo is less clear, despite a few single case reports in the literature. Here, (a) the prevalence of vertigo/dizziness in acute stroke is explored and (b) the cortical distribution of the lesions in relation to both the known vestibular cortex and the evolution of the symptoms, are considered.

Methods

Structured interviews were conducted in 173 consecutive unselected patients admitted to the hyperacute stroke unit at the University College London Hospitals. The interview was used to evaluate whether the patient was suffering from dizziness and/or vertigo before the onset of the stroke and at the time of the stroke (acute dizziness/vertigo), and the nature of these symptoms.

Results

In all, 53 patients had cortical infarcts, of which 21 patients reported acute dizziness. Out of these 21, five patients reported rotational vertigo. Seventeen of the total 53 patients had lesions in known vestibular cortical areas distributed within the insular and parietal opercular cortices.

Conclusions

The prevalence of vertigo in acute cortical strokes was 9%, with no single locus of lesion overlap. There is growing evidence supporting a lateralized vestibular cortex, with speculation that cortical strokes affecting the right hemisphere are more likely to cause vestibular symptoms than left hemispheric strokes. A trend was observed for this association, with the right hemisphere affected in four of five patients who reported spinning vertigo at the onset of the stroke.
Rapid adaptation through genomic and epigenomic responses following translocations in an endangered salmonid
Authors: Crotti Marco , Yohannes Elizabeth , Winfield Ian J. , Lyle Alex A. , Adams Colin E. , Elmer Kathryn R.
Published: June 2021

Identifying the molecular mechanisms facilitating adaptation to new environments is a key question in evolutionary biology, especially in the face of current rapid and human‐induced changes. Translocations have become an important tool for species conservation, but the attendant small population sizes and new ecological pressures might affect phenotypic and genotypic variation and trajectories dramatically and in unknown ways. In Scotland, the European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is native to only two lakes and vulnerable to extirpation. Six new refuge populations were established over the last 30 years as a conservation measure. In this study, we examined whether there is a predictable ecological and evolutionary response of these fishes to translocation. We found eco‐morphological differences, as functional traits relating to body shape differed between source and refuge populations. Dual isotopic analyses suggested some ecological release, with the diets in refuge populations being more diverse than in source populations. Analyses of up to 9117 genome‐mapped SNPs showed that refuge populations had reduced genetic diversity and elevated inbreeding and relatedness relative to source populations, though genomic differentiation was low (FST = 0.002–0.030). We identified 14 genomic SNPs that showed shared signals of a selective response to translocations, including some located near or within genes involved in the immune system, nervous system and hepatic functions. Analysis of up to 120,897 epigenomic loci identified a component of consistent differential methylation between source and refuge populations. We found that epigenomic variation and genomic variation were associated with morphological variation, but we were not able to infer an effect of population age because the patterns were also linked with the methodology of the translocations. These results show that conservation‐driven translocations affect evolutionary potential by impacting eco‐morphological, genomic and epigenomic components of diversity, shedding light on acclimation and adaptation process in these contexts.
Value of medical imaging artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia
Authors: Jia Shouqin , Wang Ying , Wang Wuzhang , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Xu
Published: June 2021

The development of computer technology is becoming more and more mature. The application of artificial intelligence to the medical field has made important contributions to medical diagnosis and auxiliary detection. Using the powerful computing power of computers to replace humans in the automatic diagnosis of complex diseases has been enthusiastic by the majority of scientific researchers. In the current medical imaging diagnosis system, the location of the lesion is mainly found by observing the two‐dimensional medical image sequence, and the signs of biological information cannot be accurately displayed. Through medical image analysis technology, two‐dimensional images will be divided into three‐dimensional models after image segmentation, image recognition, and three‐dimensional imaging. In this way, it seems that the doctor can “hold the image volume data,” which can greatly improve the scientific and accurate diagnosis. Sex—this article applies artificial intelligence to medical imaging, combined with embedded technology, RFID technology and signal processing technology, and applies the new coronavirus pneumonia image to the artificial intelligence environment after processing, assisting doctors in diagnosis of the disease, and providing relevant information about patients record and manage the diagnosis and diagnosis, save and accumulate the experience and knowledge of famous doctors through the expert system, and then perform corresponding operations and analysis. Through the medical image intelligent analysis system, the safety risk of medical imaging artificial intelligence diagnosis is reduced from 81% to 11%, which greatly reduces the hidden safety hazards for doctors and patients, reduces the workload of doctors, and also reduces the cost of medical care by 79% It is reduced to 20%, which reduces the waiting time of patients and achieves the purpose of improving the accuracy of diagnosis.