bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tribological effect of ZBUP additive on the running-in quality of sliding bearing by fractal analysis
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Zhou Yuankai , Zuo Xue
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the tribological effect of zinc borate ultrafine powder (ZBUP) oil additive on the running-in quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The running-in quality was assessed by friction coefficient and surface topography. Fractal parameters including fractal dimension, the width of multifractal, the multifractal difference, multifractal parameters, phase trajectory and correlation dimension were used to extract the nonlinear characteristics of surface topography and friction coefficient.

Findings

When the ZBUP additive was added, the convergence degree of the phase trajectory and the stability of the running in were higher than that of base oil. It indicates that the ZBUP additive can improve the running-in quality of sliding bearing. Besides, the ZBUP additive can shorten the running-in time. A boundary protective film, which has good friction-reducing and anti-wear effects, was generated on the surface when the ZBUP additive was added.

Originality/value

The results have a great significance to improve the running-in quality and prolong the service life of the sliding bearing.
Does e-retailer's country of origin influence consumer privacy, trust and purchase intention?
Authors: Bhattacharya Saptarshi , Sharma Rajendra Prasad , Gupta Ashish
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Consumers are worried about sharing their sensitive information during online shopping due to the e-tailer’s unethical practices and hacking-related concerns. Prior research has established the country of origin (COO) as a trust-building cue; however, it requires empirical testing in the online retailing context. The present study aims to examine the e-tailer COO’s effect on consumer privacy, trust and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey floated a seven-point Likert scale questionnaire and invited the receivers to participate in the investigation over e-mails and text messages. A total of 355 usable responses were analyzed using R programming.

Findings

This study empirically validated a proposed conceptual model examining the influence of COO on consumer privacy, trust and purchase intention. The findings suggest that COO influences consumer privacy, trust and purchase intention. This study further found that the privacy practices of online retailers positively impact consumer trust. Trust acts as a mediating factor in influencing purchase intention.

Practical implications

This study offers valuable insights for advancing the research agenda and actionable inputs to e-commerce managers for alleviating consumer privacy concerns in emerging economies. Future researchers can test the proposed model in other demographic and e-commerce settings.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the present knowledge on consumer privacy in online retailing in the Indian context. This paper also examines the relationship of COO with consumer privacy, trust and purchase intention, an underexplored research area in emerging markets.
Emerging issues in corporate entrepreneurship: evidence from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Arnaut Marina
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Corporate entrepreneurship (CE) has attracted considerable attention worldwide, and the challenges of managing employees’ entrepreneurial behaviours are increasingly recognised. However, the paucity of research on managers’ entrepreneurial behaviour in the United Arab Emirates multinational corporate environment creates a salient gap in the current understanding of how national and organisational cultures that not always align frame the critical problems of CE. This study aims to fill this research gap by examining multinationals’ CE antecedents drawing on an institutional perspective in Dubai.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducts 54 in-depth interviews with middle managers in multinational enterprises. This study adopts a multiple case study research design to reveal whether an emergent discovery is exclusive to a particular case or is consistently replicated by multiple cases. The author has used abductive reasoning to systematically integrate analytical framework deduction with raw data induction.

Findings

This study’s findings indicate that CE in Dubai is ineffective and fragmented. Arguably, the cultural background of employees creates different circumstances and determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour. Hence, CE may not achieve epitome competencies without identifying multicultural nuances in an organisational context.

Originality/value

Existing research has placed relatively little emphasis on the role of individual national culture in multinational enterprises. This study’s results offer potentially valuable implications for theory, practice and future research addressing other emerging countries. This model presents a distinct CE architecture with compelling evidence for national culture (at the macro level), organisational culture, Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument and emergent factors (at the meso level) and individual middle managers' real-life experience (at the micro level).
Examining the influence of the performance of mobile devices on teaching quality based on the technological acceptance mode
Authors: Chen Xiaozhong , Chen Rongli
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of iPad distribution on all teachers in a university and its application in teaching and student learning at home via wireless network during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The attitude towards the use of iPads, behavioural intentions and the impact on the quality of teaching were evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the technology acceptance model to explore the use of iPad smart mobile devices in multimedia teaching applications by university teachers. Furthermore, it used the structural equation modelling (SEM) for data analysis to explore the causal relationship between model variables, and it aimed to examine the causal relationship between variables to verify the theory. The SEM analysis included the following two stages: measurement model analysis and structural model analysis.

Findings

The “Internet information environment” had a significant positive impact on “perceived usefulness” and “perceived ease of use”. Amongst them, perceived usefulness had a significant positive effect on the use attitude, and use attitude had a significant positive effect on behaviour intention.

Originality/value

The findings confirmed that a good information network environment will directly and positively affect the perceived usefulness and the ease of use of iPad smart devices, of which the perceived usefulness will further positively affect teachers' perception of iPad smart devices. The attitude and behaviour of using such devices will in turn positively affect the quality of teaching. The results of the quality performance evaluation can be referenced further by manufacturers and scholars regarding the use of iPad smart devices for work at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors associated with general self-efficacy of women leaders in India
Authors: Sarkar Anita
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of both work and non-work domain contextual factors (family support, workplace social support, mentoring support, networking and visible assignment) on the general self-efficacy (GSE) of women leaders in India. Also, we tried to explore whether GSE is connected to women leaders' career aspirations.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a survey-based study where data was collected and analysed from 145 women leaders working in a large public sector organisation in India.

Findings

Results suggest that except for workplace social support, all other factors have a significant positive impact on the GSE of women leaders. GSE is also significantly associated with women leaders' career aspirations.

Originality/value

Uniqueness of the article is that we have empirically tested the enablers and deterrents of women leadership in the GSE context, taking note of both work and non-work domains of women leaders. The implications of the results for women's leadership development have been detailed.
Digital literacy: an empirical study for fashion design students in India
Authors: Lahiri Suranjan , Deb Roy Anannya , Jana Prabir
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to conduct an exploratory research to find out the evolving constructs and variables of digital literacy, as seen by researchers since its inception. This research also includes an empirical study to identify and further analyze the digital literacy dimensions of university students studying fashion design program in Kolkata, India.

Design/methodology/approach

The exploratory study is based on a review of extant literature, whereas the empirical study is carried out through a self-assessment survey based on UNESCOs Digital Literacy Global Framework competences after validating their relevance with respect to the fashion and apparel industry. A total of 120 university students studying four years Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design) program were asked to rate their digital literacy competences on a five-point Likert scale, with a self-reported truth response against each statement. The results were analyzed using multivariate statistical tools.

Findings

Based on UNESCO competences, it came out that there are eight digital literacy dimensions. ANOVA further confirms that the dimensions requiring higher-order cognition, such as “software management competence” and “digital citizenship competence,” increase with progress in the graduate program. However, lower-order competence dimensions remained unchanged over time.

Originality/value

The research instrument used for this empirical study, its identified dimensions and the fact that higher-order competence dimensions are enhanced with progression in university education may be helpful for similar research in other fashion-related programs.
The role of consciousness in sustainable food consumption: a cultural comparison
Authors: Ahn Jiseon , Shamim Amjad
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The advent of COVID-19 was followed by an increased demand for organic products along with newfound customer interest in healthy consumption habits. This study aims to explore the impact of multidimensional consciousness on consumers’ attitudes and purchasing intentions toward organic food brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the importance of culture on customers’ decision-making, data were collected from the USA and India to examine the potential cultural differences with respect to organic products. A conceptual model is derived and tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that organic consciousness (e.g. for organic standards) is the most important predictor of attitudes, whereas environmental consciousness appears to be the prime motive in the formation of purchase intentions. Multidimensional (i.e. organic, environment, health and social) consciousness can predict attitude and intention. However, organic standards and social consciousness fail to directly influence customers’ purchasing intention. The impact of each dimension of consciousness varies between USA and Indian customers.

Originality/value

This study provides an understanding of customers’ sustainable consumption behavior by clarifying the relative impact of multidimensional perceived values. Also, because of the growth of organic food market globally, the findings of this study offer valuable insights by identifying the cultural difference between Western and Eastern customers’ behavior.
Production of a novel milk‐clotting enzyme from solid‐substrate Mucor spp. culture
Authors: Qasim Farhat , Diercks‐Horn Sonja , Gerlach Doreen , Schneider Anna , Fernandez‐Lahore Hector Marcelo
Published: September 2022

Calf rennet has been traditionally used for cheese making all over the world since ancient times. It is primarily a type of aspartic protease. Calf rennet, also known as chymosin, is considered the best milk coagulant in cheese manufacturing. Its usage and demand are increasing day by day in the food industry; however, some ethical issues are also related since it is naturally present in the calf's stomach and obtained by the slaughtering of young animals. Therefore, researchers are trying to introduce some new and better alternatives for chymosin in the food industry. Mucor racemosus f. racemosus CBS 381, Mucor racemosus DSM 62760, and Aspergillus oryzae were cultivated by solid substrate fermentation using the design of experiment (DoE) (MODDE; Umetrics, Sweden) to optimize and analyze the various combinations of different factors and responses (milk‐clotting activity, proteolytic activity, specific activity). Based on the analysis of the screening and optimization results, Mucor racemosus CBS 381 was found to be the potential strain in terms of high production of aspartic protease, as well as had high milk‐clotting activity under a solid‐state fermentation system. However, molasses and casein were determined to be significant carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, under conditions such as 70% moisture content and 25°C temperature. The molecular weight of the enzyme (Mucor CBS 381) is ∼30 KDa and it exhibits maximum activity at pH 4.8 at 45°C. The investigated enzyme was pronounced as thermal‐sensitive and lost activity completely after 10 min incubation at 55°C. The remarkable qualities of the studied enzyme, such as cost‐effective production, milk‐clotting and proteolytic activity make Mucor racemosus CBS 381 a promising alternate to calf chymosin in the cheese‐making industry.

Practical Application

The milk‐clotting enzyme (aspartic protease) produced by the Mucor racemosus is the alternative to calf chymosin. It can be used to produce cheese on the industrial level with some desired properties such as good taste and texture that includes gumminess. Nowadays, consumers prefer products that do not involve any animal cruelty whereas a huge group of consumers oppose the use of genetically modified enzymes. Therefore, the enzyme by Mucor racemosus would produce the cheese that is going to meet the demands of various types of cheese consumers.
Esophageal submucosal tumor diagnosed with EBUS‐guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy: A case report
Authors: Ishiguro Yuki , Uchimura Keigo , Furuse Hideaki , Imabayashi Tatsuya , Matsumoto Yuji , Watanabe Shun‐Ichi , Tsuchida Takaaki
Published: September 2022

Cryobiopsy is advantageous for collecting larger specimens with minimum crushing compared to forceps biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), but it has not been widely used for mediastinal tumors. In this report, a leiomyoma of the thoracic esophagus was diagnosed with endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS‐cryo). An asymptomatic 49‐year‐old woman had a 2.6‐cm sized submucosal tumor (SMT) of the esophagus adjacent to the trachea and left main bronchus. EBUS‐TBNA and EBUS‐guided intranodal forceps biopsy were performed, followed by EBUS‐cryo. The biopsy forceps could not be inserted into the tumor, but the cryoprobe was smoothly inserted. EBUS‐TBNA could not obtain enough spindle‐shaped tumor cells for immunohistochemical staining, but EBUS‐cryo provided sufficient specimens for diagnosing the leiomyoma. Adding EBUS‐cryo to EBUS‐TBNA has recently been reported to achieve high diagnostic yields for lymphomas, uncommon tumors, and benign diseases. EBUS‐cryo seems a valid diagnostic option for esophageal SMTs that are difficult to diagnose with needles and forceps.
Decellularized tympanic membrane scaffold with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for repairing tympanic membrane perforation
Authors: Lu Yanqing , Li Jingzhi , Hou Nan , Zhou Li , Quan Xiaoxuan , Tang Ying , Luo Xiaoming , Huang Shi , Ma Ruina
Published: September 2022

Background

Tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) is a common disease in otology, and few acellular techniques have been reported for repairing this condition. Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds have been used in organ reconstruction.

Objective

This study on tissue engineering aimed to develop a tympanic membrane (TM) scaffold prepared using detergent immersion and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as repair materials to reconstruct the TM.

Results

General structure was observed that the decellularized TM scaffold with BMSCs retained the original intact anatomical ECM structure, with no cell residue, as observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and exhibited low immunogenicity. Therefore, we seeded the decellularized TM scaffold with BMSCs for recellularization. Histology and eosin staining, SEM and immunofluorescence in vivo showed that the recellularized TM patch had a natural ultrastructure and was suitable for the migration and proliferation of BMSCs. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluated after recellularized TM patch repair was slightly higher than that of the normal TM, but the difference was not significant.

Conclusion

The synthetic ECM scaffold provides temporary physical support for the three‐dimensional growth of cells during the tissue developmental stage. The scaffold stimulates cells to secrete their own ECM required for tissue regeneration. The recellularized TM patch shows potential as a natural, ultrastructure biological material for TM reconstruction.
The impact of adolescent's daily electronic media use on sleep: Insights from adolescent's and their mother's point of view
Authors: Lüscher Janina , Radtke Theda
Published: September 2022

Several studies demonstrated that electronic media use (EMU) is negatively associated with sleep in adolescents. Most studies however are cross‐sectional, self‐ or parents reports, and not distinguishing between different EMU types. Therefore, this study aimed to examine associations between adolescent's EMU and sleep reported by adolescents and from their mothers' perspective in a dyadic ambulatory assessment design. One hundred and five mother–adolescent dyads reported for 14 consecutive days adolescent's EMU for different EMU types and sleep duration. Mothers reported less EMU in the evening and more sleep of their adolescents than adolescents themselves. Multilevel analyses revealed that at the between‐ and within‐person level, EMU in the evening was negatively associated with sleep. Different EMU types differed in effect sizes of associations with sleep. No effects were found for watching TV/DVD/video, whereas for gaming at the between‐ and within‐person level, negative associations with sleep duration were found. For PC/tablet and smartphone use in the evening significant between‐person association with sleep duration for adolescent's self‐reports and from mother's point of view was found. It is important to investigate adolescent's EMU on a daily basis, from a dyadic perspective, and for different EMU types separately.
Deferiprone attenuates neuropathology and improves outcome following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Daglas Maria , Truong Phan H. , Miles Linh Q. , Juan Sydney M. A. , Rao Shalini S. , Adlard Paul A.
Published: September 2022

Background and Purpose

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in young adults. The role of iron in potentiating neurodegeneration following TBI has gained recent interest as iron deposition has been detected in the injured brain in the weeks to months post‐TBI, in both the preclinical and clinical setting. A failure in iron homeostasis can lead to oxidative stress, inflammation and excitotoxicity; and whether this is a cause or consequence of the long‐term effects of TBI remains unknown.

Experimental Approach

We investigated the role of iron and the effect of therapeutic intervention using a brain‐permeable iron chelator, deferiprone, in a controlled cortical impact mouse model of TBI. An extensive assessment of cognitive, motor and anxiety/depressive outcome measures were examined, and neuropathological and biochemical changes, over a 3‐month period post‐TBI.

Key Results

Lesion volume was significantly reduced at 3 months, which was preceded by a reduction in astrogliosis, microglia/macrophages and preservation of neurons in the injured brain at 2 weeks and/or 1 month post‐TBI in mice receiving oral deferiprone. Deferiprone treatment showed significant improvements in neurological severity scores, locomotor/gait performance and cognitive function, and attenuated anxiety‐like symptoms post‐TBI. Deferiprone reduced iron levels, lipid peroxidation/oxidative stress and altered expression of neurotrophins in the injured brain over this period.

Conclusion and Implications

Our findings support a detrimental role of iron in the injured brain and suggest that deferiprone (or similar iron chelators) may be promising therapeutic approaches to improve survival, functional outcomes and quality of life following TBI.
Menopause, skin and common dermatosis. Part 3: genital disorders
Authors: Musbahi Esra , Kamp Erin , Ashraf Mariha , DeGiovanni Claudia
Published: September 2022

Oestrogen plays a vital role in maintaining a normal vulvovaginal epithelium, vaginal lubrication, as well as a healthy microbiome to ensure an acidic pH. The decrease in oestrogen levels in women going through menopause results in both physiological and physical changes of the genitourinary system, and more specifically the vulva. We conducted a literature review on the effects of low oestrogen levels on the physiology and function of the vulva and the vulvovaginal epithelium. ‘Genitourinary syndrome of menopause’ (GSM) is the term used to describe the signs and symptoms of a low oestrogen state. The symptoms and signs of GSM can overlap or coexist with other vulval dermatoses. Expert opinion is needed to diagnose and manage vulval dermatoses in menopause. This article will discuss the signs and symptoms of GSM, as well as the different management options available. Other vulval dermatoses that can be affected by hypo-oestrogenism are also reviewed.
Prenatal diagnosis of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection using 2D and HDlive flow combined with spatiotemporal image correlation
Authors: Li Tian‐gang , Ma Bin , Gao Yan‐hong , Zhang Rui‐hong , Li Pei‐long , Da Zhen‐qiang
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The objective of this study is to examine the application value of two‐dimensional (2D) and high‐definition live (HDlive) flow combined with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in diagnosing fetal total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC).

Methods

Seventeen cases of fetal TAPVC were diagnosed using 2D and HDlive Flow combined with STIC. These cases were then retrospectively analyzed to examine the value of using 2D and HDlive Flow combined with STIC in the diagnosis of TAPVC.

Results

2D and HDlive Flow combined with STIC detected 13 cases of supracardiac TAPVC (two isolated cases, seven cases with right atrial isomerism (RAI), four cases with other complex malformations), one case of isolated intra‐cardiac TAPVC, and three cases of cardiac TAPVC (two isolated cases and one case with complex congenital heart anomaly). Small left atrium (LA), the absence of PVs drainage into the LA and the increased retroatrial distance between LA and the descending aorta (DAo) were significant signs that should raise the suspicion of fetal TAPVC. HDlive Flow combined with STIC can dynamically display the TAPVC which may assit the prenatal diagnosis of TAPVC.

Conclusion

2D and HDlive Flow combined with STIC can assit the diagnosis of fetal TAPVC abnormalities and has important clinical value.
Drug resistance in idiopathic generalized epilepsies: Evidence and concepts
Authors: Gesche Joanna , Beier Christoph P.
Published: September 2022

Although approximately 10%–15% of patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE)/genetic generalized epilepsy remain drug‐resistant, there is no consensus or established concept regarding the underlying mechanisms and prevalence. This review summarizes the recent data and the current hypotheses on mechanisms that may contribute to drug‐resistant IGE. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase for studies on mechanisms of drug resistance published since 1980. The literature shows neither consensus on the definition nor a widely accepted model to explain drug resistance in IGE or one of its subsyndromes. Large‐scale genetic studies have failed to identify distinct genetic causes or affected genes involved in pharmacokinetics. We found clinical and experimental evidence in support of four hypotheses: (1) “network hypothesis”—the degree of drug resistance in IGE reflects the severity of cortical network alterations, (2) “minor focal lesion in a predisposed brain hypothesis”—minor cortical lesions are important for drug resistance, (3) “interneuron hypothesis”—impaired functioning of γ‐aminobutyric acidergic interneurons contributes to drug resistance, and (4) “changes in drug kinetics”—genetically impaired kinetics of antiseizure medication (ASM) reduce the effectiveness of available ASMs. In summary, the exact definition and cause of drug resistance in IGE is unknown. However, published evidence suggests four different mechanisms that may warrant further investigation.
The parent trap: Extending New York State's parental liability law to hold parents liable for minor child's bullying
Authors: Gardini Nicolette
Published: September 2022

Bullying is a phenomenon that results in psychological and physical effects, or even suicides and school shootings. Many states have enacted anti‐bullying laws to prevent bullying, but we still see the same tragedies that come from it. A town in New York jails parents for their child's bullying and has seen improvement. However, the goal of this amendment is to deter, not to punish. To protect the welfare and safety of our state's children, this Note proposes that New York amend its parental liability law by adopting the parental liability laws of Oregon, Tennessee, and the notification law of Utah.
Zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Late Jurassic granite porphyries from central‐eastern Jilin Province, NE China: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications
Authors: Ye Xiqing , Xu Zhitao , Li Mengmeng , Sun Liying , Li Zhongwei , Yan Donghan , Feng Jingqiao
Published: September 2022

The recently discovered Yizuoying Mo deposit is located in central‐eastern Jilin Province, NE China. The molybdenum (Mo) mineralization, mainly hosted in granite porphyry, is considered to be granite‐related. Zircon U–Pb dating of the granite porphyry yielded concordant ages of 160.81 ± 0.62 Ma, which is consistent with the weighted mean U–Pb age of 160.53 ± 0.65 Ma, indicating that the emplacement of granitic plutons occurred in the Late Jurassic. The granite porphyry samples are peraluminous, high‐K calc‐alkaline and show an A‐type geochemical signature with high Na2O + K2O and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y content, K2O/MgO, Fe2O3T/(Fe2O3T + MgO), REEs (rare earth elements) and 10 000 Ga/Al ratios. Based on the trace element content of zircons, they have high Th, U, Zr, Hf, and Pb abundance and obvious La and Eu anomalies, and their distribution pattern is similar to that of A‐type granites. The zircon εHf(t) values range from 4.5 to 10.5 with Neoproterozoic TDM2 ages (536–922 Ma) for Hf isotopes, and they have relatively high values of εNd(t) (3.14 to 3.49; TDM2 = 665–693 Ma) and initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.723260–0.734669). Detailed elemental and isotopic data suggest that the Yizuoying granite porphyry belongs to the A2‐subtype and was formed by partial melting of a crustal source with a neoproterozoic overall residence age. Integrating new data on the oxygen fugacity of zircons and published data on the tectonic evolution, we suggest that the granite porphyry and associated Mo mineralization in the Yizuoying deposit formed in an extensional environment at ~160 Ma, related to the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific plate. The evolution of granitic magma in this period contributed to Mo mineralization.
Association of financial toxicity with quality of life in testicular cancer survivors
Authors: Nezu Kunihisa , Yamashita Shinichi , Kakimoto Kenichi , Uemura Motohide , Kishida Takeshi , Kawai Koji , Nakamura Terukazu , Goto Takayuki , Osawa Takahiro , Nishimura Kazuo , Nonomura Norio , Negoro Hiromitsu , Shiraishi Takumi , Ukimura Osamu , Ogawa Osamu , Shinohara Nobuo , Suzukamo Yoshimi , Ito Akihiro , Arai Yoichi
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Most testicular cancer (TC) survivors have long‐term survival. However, the association between financial toxicity (FT), which is an economic side effect of cancer treatment, and the quality of life (QOL) of TC survivors is still unclear. Thus, the impact of FT on the QOL of TC survivors was examined in a multi‐institutional cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We recruited TC survivors from eight high‐volume institutions in Japan between January 2018 and March 2019. A total of 562 participants completed the EORTC QLQ‐C30, EORTC QLQ‐TC26 and the questionnaires on demographics, including annual income. Financial difficulty in the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and low income were used to assess financial distress (FD) and financial burden (FB), respectively. FT was defined as FD and FB. The QOL scores were compared, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis for FT was performed.

Results

With severe FD, TC survivors had more treatment side effects, physical limitations, and anxiety concerning employment and future. The TC survivors who reported low income were worried about their jobs and the future. The QOL of the survivors with FT exhibited high impairment, except for sexual activity. In particular, the TC survivors with FT were physically limited and anxious concerning the future. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that four or more chemotherapy cycles were substantial risk factors for FT (4 cycles, odds ratio (OR) = 4.17; ≥5 cycles, OR = 6.96).

Conclusions

TC survivors who received multi‐cycle chemotherapy were prone to experience FT, resulting in a decline in their health‐related QOL.
A predictive score for detecting vesicoureteral reflux in children with their first Escherichia coli‐induced urinary tract infection
Authors: Kurokawa Mari , Murata Kenji , Hoshina Takayuki , Furuno Kenji , Kaku Yoshitsugu , Kishimoto Junji , Ohga Shouichi
Published: September 2022

Objectives

In children with a first Escherichia coli‐induced febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI), routine voiding cytourethrography (VCUG) is not recommended for detecting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Meanwhile, the sensitivity of renal and bladder ultrasound (RBUS) for detecting VUR is insufficient. Aiming to implement VCUG properly for children with a first E. coli‐induced fUTI, we attempted to construct a predictive scoring system for the early screening of VUR.

Methods

This study enrolled patients aged <2 years of age hospitalized for their first E. coli‐induced fUTI during the period when VCUG was implemented for all patients (2007–14, non‐selective group [n = 111]) and only for those with VUR‐suspected RBUS findings, bacteremia or acute focal bacterial nephritis (2016–19, selective group [n = 102]). We evaluated the accuracy of the current criteria and the VUR predictive score constructed using data from the non‐selective group.

Results

In the non‐selective group, 32 patients had VUR (29%). In the selective group, 20 of 45 VCUG‐tested patients had VUR (44%). Among 57 patients not undergoing VCUG in the selective group, 8 had a recurrence of fUTI, 3 of whom were diagnosed with VUR. In the non‐selective group, 9 patients with VUR did not fulfill the current criteria and the VUR predictive score consisting of young age, female sex, prolonged fever, hypoproteinemia, hyponatremia and hyperglycemia, showed higher sensitivity, specificity than the current criteria.

Conclusions

The current imaging/bacteriological criteria were ineffective in screening for VUR in patients with their first E. coli‐induced fUTI. The VUR predictive score can be an accurate indicator for implementing VCUG.
Improving compliance with venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guidelines in obese inpatients
Authors: Chee Adrian , Bortz Hadley , Yip Jarrod , McFadyen James D.
Published: September 2022

Obesity is a well‐recognised risk factor for venous thromboembolism, and increased dosing of pharmacological prophylaxis is recommended in obese inpatients. We performed a clinical decision support intervention by adjusting order sentences of prophylactic enoxaparin within our electronic medical records, which significantly improved appropriate dosing for thromboprophylaxis in obese inpatients at our institution.
The oceanographic isolation of the Ogasawara Islands and genetic divergence in a reef‐building coral
Authors: Wepfer Patricia H. , Nakajima Yuichi , Fujimura Atsushi , Mikheyev Alexander S. , Economo Evan P. , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: September 2022

Aim

Due to their spatial isolation, oceanic islands are natural systems to study evolutionary divergence. The Ogasawara Islands belong to the most isolated archipelagos on Earth and are well‐known for their high terrestrial endemicity; however, less is known about the marine realm. Here, we analyse the degree of oceanographic isolation of the archipelago based on genetic data of a reef‐building coral and a biophysical dispersal model.

Location

North‐Western Pacific (Ogasawara, Ryukyu, Daito Islands, Guam).

Taxon

Galaxea fascicularis L.

Method

Three to 15 specimens were sampled at several sites in Ogasawara and its closest potential migration sources in southern Japan and the Mariana Islands (Guam) and RAD‐sequenced. 108 specimens from the common Pacific lineages ‘L’ (Ryukyu‐ and Daito Islands, Guam) and ‘Ogasawara’ (Ogasawara) were analysed with population genetics and demographic modelling. Oceanographic dispersal was investigated by inverse particle tracking using a Lagrangian particle advection simulation based on ROMS and applying biological dispersal parameters of G. fascicularis.

Results

The G. fascicularis population in Ogasawara is genetically highly differentiated from the next closest reefs in the region and has diverged from the Ryukyu Islands under very little, asymmetric, eastward migration. Inverse particle tracking confirmed the oceanographic isolation of Ogasawara and showed that the islands are rarely but most likely reached by settlers from the Ryukyu Islands by long‐distance‐dispersal of exceptionally long‐lived larvae (>44 days), with no dispersal vice versa.

Main conclusions

Ogasawara is a dispersal sink location and the high degree of genetic differentiation in Galaxea has resulted from strong oceanographic isolation. This research highlights how oceanographic features impact species‐level genetic differentiation even in well‐dispersed taxa such as broadcast‐spawning corals, and they are likely even more pronounced in less vagile organisms. These findings suggest the Ogasawaran Archipelago should be considered an important priority for marine conservation, alongside its high importance for terrestrial conservation.
Q‐switched frequency‐doubled Nd:YAG (532 nm) laser versus trichloroacetic acid 35% peeling in the treatment of dorsal hand solar lentigo: An assessor‐blind split‐hand randomized controlled trial
Authors: Iraji Fariba , Mousavi Azam , Poostiyan Nazila , Saber Mina
Published: September 2022

Background

Solar lentigo (SL) is a benign hyperpigmented spot occurring due to ultraviolet exposure, most commonly in the elderly. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peeling with Q‐switched laser in the treatment of SLs.

Methods

This assessor‐blind split‐hand randomized controlled trial included 45 patients with symmetric SLs on the back of their hands referred to the dermatology clinics from March 1 to June 24, 2021. TCA 35% was applied to the back of one hand, and the contralateral hand received Q‐switched laser. The interventions were repeated for a total of three sessions 4 weeks apart. Eight weeks after the last treatment session, lesion lightening was graded from 1 to 4. Patient satisfaction with treatment was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Adverse events were also noted.

Results

Of the 45 patients included in the current study with a mean age of 52.71 ± 9.73 years, 11 (24.4%) were male. The Fitzpatrick skin type was II in 11 patients (24.4%), III in 23 (51.1%), and IV in 11 (24.4%). Lesion lightening and patient satisfaction were both significantly better with Q‐switched laser compared to TCA peeling (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] ‐1.69; −0.79, p < 0.001 and SMD = ‐1.12, 95% CI ‐1.56; −0.67, p < 0.001, respectively). Overall, post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurred in one patient in the laser group and for in the TCA group. Also, erythema and pruritus were observed in all patients of both groups after intervention which were treated with topical repair cream.

Conclusions

Q‐switched laser was superior to TCA peeling for the treatment of SLs in terms of lesion lightening and patient satisfaction with a large effect.
Proposal of a protocol for thermographic assessment of the orbicularis oris muscle
Authors: Salles Patrícia Vieira , Valentim Amanda Freitas , Haddad Denise Sabbagh , Furlan Renata Maria Moreira Moraes , Gama Ana Cristina Côrtes , Motta Andréa Rodrigues
Published: September 2022

Background

The orbicularis oris muscle is extremely important to performing various oral functions, including mastication, swallowing and speech. Infrared thermography is a non‐invasive painless technique that does not require either contrast or ionisation. It has been increasingly used in speech‐language‐hearing therapy in the last years.

Objective

The objective of the study was to propose a thermographic analysis method for the orbicularis oris muscle.

Methods

This is an observational, analytical, cross‐sectional study. The area of the orbicularis oris muscle was defined based on its anatomy with thermographic images of 11 children and 13 adults. Then, this area was divided into four quadrants, each of which was analysed considering four different shapes: a triangle; a rectangle; a triangle with a rounded side, including the vermilion zone; and a customised shape encompassing only the region of the orbicularis oris muscle, not including the vermilion zone. Data were collected and analysed with the coefficient of variation and interrater agreement.

Results

Data variability for the four shapes had similar dispersions per region of the orbicularis oris muscle, in both maximum and mean temperatures and in both children and adults. The rectangle was the shape with the lowest coefficient of variation in more regions of both adults and children. Interrater agreement was excellent for all shapes, in both children and adults.

Conclusion

Currently, the best way to analyse the orbicularis oris muscle's quadrants is to use the maximum temperature and the rectangle, based on an initial ellipsis encompassing the whole muscle.
Do business customers perceive what salespeople believe? Perceptions of salesperson adoption of innovations
Authors: Endres Herbert , Helm Roland , Schmitz Christian , Hofstetter Christine
Published: September 2022

A salesperson's commitment and effort toward an innovation can determine whether the customer agrees to buy it, such that customers' perceptions of such commitment and effort are critical. But these perceptions also might differ fundamentally from the salesperson's self‐perceptions of commitment and effort. Therefore, this paper presents a theoretical framework of the relation between salesperson‐perceived and customer‐perceived commitment and effort, as exhibited by the salesperson while selling an innovation, which represents salesperson adoption. In the framework, job satisfaction factors also exert contingent, moderating effects. The authors gather unique, dyadic data from surveys of salespeople and their (potential) business customers during visits to sell a conventional, incremental innovation, complemented by objective purchase data gathered from company records. Three key insights emerge fromt this study. First, salespeople's own perceptions of their commitment and effort have only moderate influences on customers' perceptions of salespeople's commitment and effort. Second, customers seem to recognize salesperson effort more readily than salesperson commitment, although salesperson commitment has a higher sales performance impact than salesperson effort. Thus, sales managers should seek to encourage and support both the commitment of salespeople and also perceptions of that commitment among customers. Third, while a higher organizational support or job autonomy strengthens customers' perceptions of salesperson adoption, a higher pay satisfaction diminishes it. Thus, firms might need to find ways to increase the support for the salespeople and their autonomy and to reduce salespeople's satisfaction with their (direct) payments. In total, these findings suggest significant scientific and managerial implications.
Behavioural drivers of suboptimal maternal and child feeding practices in Rwanda: An anthropological study
Authors: Birungi Annet , Koita Youssouf , Roopnaraine Terry , Matsiko Eric , Umugwaneza Maryse
Published: September 2022

At 33% of under‐5s, stunting rates in Rwanda remain stubbornly high, as do figures for maternal (25% of pregnant women) and childhood anaemia (37%). Intensive communication and education campaigns have provided caregivers with high levels of knowledge about best practices in Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), but this is not translating into the improved diets which could contribute to reducing rates of stunting. Deploying an anthropological approach via multi‐module Focused Ethnographic Studies carried out within household case studies, the research team sought to understand drivers of suboptimal feeding practices in a sample of 30 households across all of Rwanda's districts. The sample included households with pregnant women as well as children in the 6–60 month age range. Analysed against a framework of proximal and underlying causes of under‐nutrition, our results reveal gaps in the knowledge‐capability‐practice chain resulting from decisions and prioritisations taken by caregivers and heads‐of‐household. Pregnant women and mothers of young children possess high levels of knowledge about feeding themselves and their young children, but this is not reflected in decision‐making and prioritisation around the acquisition and feeding of animal source foods, whose consumption is low among both groups. This was found to be true even in households which own and raise livestock. Turning to policy and programmes, we argue for a move towards incentivized human capital programming focusing on the ‘last mile’ behaviour change which is needed to translate knowledge and capability into better dietary choices.
Unsaturated fatty acid synthesis in Enterococcus faecalis requires a specific enoyl‐ACP reductase
Authors: Dong Huijuan , Cronan John E.
Published: September 2022

The Enterococcus faecalis genome contains two enoyl‐ACP reductases genes, fabK and fabI, which encode proteins having very different structures. Enoyl‐ACP reductase catalyzes the last step of the elongation cycle of type II fatty acid synthesis pathway. The fabK gene is located within the large fatty acid synthesis operon whereas fabI is located together with two genes fabN and fabO required for unsaturated fatty acid synthesis. Prior work showed that FabK is weakly expressed due to poor translational initiation and hence virtually all the cellular enoyl ACP reductase activity is that encoded by fabI. Since FabK is a fully functional enzyme, the question is why FabI is an essential enzyme. Why not increase FabK activity? We report that overproduction of FabK is lethal whereas FabI overproduction only slows the growth and is not lethal. In both cases, normal growth is restored by the addition of oleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, to the medium indicating that enoyl ACP reductase overproduction disrupts unsaturated fatty acid synthesis. We report that this is due to competition with FabO, a putative 3‐ketoacyl‐ACP synthase I via FabN, a dehydratase/isomerase providing evidence that the enoyl‐ACP reductase must be matched to the unsaturated fatty acid synthetic genes. FabO has been ascribed the same activity as E. coli FabB and we report in vitro evidence that this is the case, whereas FabN is a dehydratase/isomerase, having the activity of E. coli FabA. However, FabN is much larger than FabA, it is a hexamer rather than a dimer like FabA.
A novel regulatory complex mediated by Lanata (Ln) controls multicellular trichome formation in tomato
Authors: Xie Qingmin , Xiong Cheng , Yang Qihong , Zheng Fangyan , Larkin Robert M. , Zhang Junhong , Wang Taotao , Zhang Yuyang , Ouyang Bo , Lu Yongen , Ye Jie , Ye Zhibiao , Yang Changxian
Published: September 2022

Trichomes that originate from plant aerial epidermis act as mechanical and chemical barriers against herbivores. Although several regulators have recently been identified, the regulatory pathway underlying multicellular trichome formation remains largely unknown in tomato.

Here, we report a novel HD‐ZIP IV transcription factor, Lanata (Ln), a missense mutation which caused the hairy phenotype. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that Ln separately interacts with two trichome regulators, Woolly (Wo) and Hair (H). Genetic and molecular evidence demonstrates that Ln directly regulates the expression of H.

The interaction between Ln and Wo can increase trichome density by enhancing the expression of SlCycB2 and SlCycB3, which we previously showed are involved in tomato trichome formation.

Furthermore, SlCycB2 represses the transactivation of the SlCycB3 gene by Ln and vice versa. Our findings provide new insights into the novel regulatory network controlling multicellular trichome formation in tomato.
Podoplanin could be a predictive biomarker of the risk of patients with oral leukoplakia to develop oral cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Monteiro Luis , Mariano Lorena C. , Warnakulasuriya Saman
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the existing literature on the utility of podoplanin to predict the risk of malignancy development (MD) in patients previously diagnosed with oral leukoplakia (OL).

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis (SRMA) was performed though a search strategy using several electronic databases and a combination of keywords related to podoplanin and MD of OL, until 15 May, 2022 (PROSPERO CRD42022329326). Evaluation of the risk of bias (ROB) was performed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies Tool. The meta‐analyses were estimated using fixed‐effect models.

Results

From 421 articles, 6 studies were finally included, that enrolled 546 patients with OL, of whom 125 presented with an oral cancer during follow‐up (32 to 90 months). Some limitations regarding the ROB were identified mostly related to small sample sizes, short follow‐up times, lack of information on covariables in the included studies and lack of accuracy (including sensitivity and specificity). Meta‐analysis of 6 studies reveal that high expression of podoplanin carries a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 3.72 (95% CI, 2.40–5.76; p < 0.00001) for MD without statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = 0.53).

Conclusion

The results of this SRMA support the role of podoplanin immunohistochemical expression as a potential predictive biomarker to assess the risk of malignancy development in oral leukoplakia.