bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of ethical issues in hospitality and tourism innovation
Authors: Oskam Jeroen A. , De Visser-Amundson Anna
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the state of academic research on ethical issues connected to innovation in hospitality. Through a systematic review of the literature on this topic, the authors aim to offer a synthesis of research approaches and to provide proposals for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted searches in four different databases, to select articles based on the inclusion criteria: the articles should combine the topics of innovation and hospitality/tourism and have been published between 2011 and 2021. Through an iterative screening process, the authors selected 71 research articles.

Findings

This paper distinguishes two categories of approaches to the topic: a first and predominant approach in which innovations are derived from evolving ethical insights and a more dispersed second category that explores the ethical implications of innovations. In the first category, articles about ethical leadership represent the greatest number, followed by those about corporate social responsibility (CSR). Almost half of the papers studied followed qualitative methods.

Research limitations/implications

The authors argue that the prevalent perspective represents a specific interpretation of the social role of private companies, but that the ethical effects of commercial or technological innovations deserve more attention. Despite a rigorous procedure in reviewing the literature systematically, they also discuss that there are multiple relevant debates that do not refer explicitly to ethical aspects, but that should be included in the topic.

Practical implications

Addressing the research gaps in ethics and innovation in hospitality must provide practitioners with an understanding of the ramifications of their innovations and with criteria for ethical decision-making.

Social implications

The current orientation of the debate underscores ethical innovations in hospitality and tourism, whilst ethical risks of other developments in these industries may remain understudied.

Originality/value

This review updates earlier reviews of ethical issues in hospitality and tourism, whilst the link to innovation and the distinction of two categories, based on the causal direction between ethical considerations and innovation, identify an imbalance in the study of the topic.
Subjective well-being in the relationship between workaholism and workplace incivility: the moderating role of gender
Authors: Taheri Fatemeh , Naderibeni Nahid , Mirzamani Azam
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate the mediating role of subjective well-being (SWB) in the relationship workaholism and workplace incivility with an emphasis on the moderating role of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online survey, the required data were collected from 401 employees in 41 public organizations in Iran.

Findings

By structural equation modeling, the results showed workaholism has a negative direct association with workplace incivility. Additionally, SWB mediates the relationships between workaholism and workplace incivility. Moreover, workaholic men and women are more likely to experience higher workplace incivility and lower SWB, respectively.

Practical implications

Managers should focus on reducing workaholism and developing SWB to decrease uncivil behaviors. Researchers need to assess the different instigators of incivility, considering the mediating or moderating role of other variables in private organizations.

Social implications

The stress of workaholism, coupled with the harsh conditions of economic sanctions in Iran, has exacerbated the occurrence of incivility behavior. This study helps to reduce and control such behaviors by examining the role of SWB and gender.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the research on incivility behavior by advancing the understanding of organizational and personal factors (workaholism and SWB) that can influence workplace incivility among employees. It also addresses the usefulness of examining SWB disposition in understanding the relationship between workaholism and workplace incivility.
Elevated CO2 alleviates adverse effects of drought on plant water relations and photosynthesis: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Zhaoguo , Wang Chuankuan , Liu Shirong
Published: August 2022

The elevated CO2 concentration (eCO2) is expected to improve plant water relations and carbon (C) uptakes, with a potential to mitigate drought stress. However, the interactive effects of eCO2 and drought on plant physiology and growth are not clear.

We performed a meta‐analysis on the interactive effects of eCO2 and drought on plant water relations, photosynthesis, biomass production and allocation.

We found that eCO2 did not lead to the conservation of soil water, but improved leaf water status under drought conditions as evidenced by a higher leaf relative water content (LRWC) and a less negative midday leaf water potential, resulting from reduced stomatal conductance (gs) and increased root to shoot ratio. Elevated CO2 retarded the response of gs to drought, which may be mediated by the decrease in leaf abscisic acid concentration under eCO2 and drought. Drought imposed stomatal limitations on photosynthesis (A), which was alleviated by eCO2 via increasing intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci). This led to a stronger A response to eCO2 under drought, supporting the ‘low Ci effect’. However, no interaction of eCO2 and drought was detected on plant biomass production. Intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) increased proportionally with eCO2, while plant‐scale WUE was less responsive to eCO2. C3 plants had advantages over C4 plants in terms of A and biomass production under eCO2 and well‐watered conditions rather than under eCO2 and drought conditions. Drought caused a greater reduction in biomass for woody plants than for herbs. Plants growing in pots showed greater decreases in the physiology and biomass under drought than those growing in field.

Synthesis. These findings suggest that eCO2 can alleviate the adverse impacts of drought on plant water relations and C sequestration, and are of significance in the prediction of plant growth and ecosystem productivity under global changes.
Assessment of depth of penetration and antibiofilm properties of Boswellia sacra compared with calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament (in vitro study)
Authors: El‐Essawy Riham Hisham , Al‐Ashry Salma , Sabet Nihal Ezzat , Ghobashy Ahmed Mostafa
Published: August 2022

Successful endodontic treatment requires advanced materials to eliminate biofilm This study aims to assess the penetration depth and the effectiveness of Boswellia sacra as a novel intracanal medicament compared with calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. 60 single‐rooted teeth were decoronated, prepared and sterilised. Fifty teeth were contaminated with a culture of E. faecalis (ATCC 19433) for 21 days. Two teeth were used to confirm the biofilm using scanning electron microscope. For colony‐forming unit (CFU), 40 samples were divided into one control group (calcium hydroxide) and the other experimental group (B. sacra). Each group was divided into two subgroups to be tested at 3 and 7 days. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of B. sacra was determined, and the B. sacra's ethanolic extract medicament was prepared. Eight discs divided into groups similar to CFU were used to evaluate live/dead bacteria using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Ten teeth were selected for penetration depth using CLSM. The intracanal medicaments were mixed with 0.1% rhodamine B. were inserted into the root canals 0.2 slices were dissected and viewed under CLSM. The MIC of B. sacra was 1.25 mg/ml. The CFU evaluation proved that B. sacra are more effective than calcium hydroxide in the 3 days groups. However, it was statistically insignificant compared with calcium hydroxide after 7 days. The depth of penetration of B. sacra exceeds that of calcium hydroxide. B. sacra is an effective intracanal medicament.
Hypotonic induction of aquaporin5 expression in rat astrocytes through p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Yi Yaoxing , Qiu Guoping , Liu Hui , Gao Fei , Liu Xueyuan , Chen Yuqing , Yang Mei
Published: August 2022

Brain oedema is a common pathological phenomenon following many diseases and may lead to severe secondary damage. Astrocytes are the most numerous cells in the brain. Five aquaporins (AQPs) have been found in mature astrocytes, which play crucial roles in water transportation. However, most studies have focused on AQP4 or AQP9 and whether another aquaporin such as AQP5 involved in brain oedema is unclear. Here, we addressed the issue that the expression pattern of AQP5 in rat astrocytes in vitro was altered in the hypotonic condition through some mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. Primary astrocytes were randomly divided into the control group and the hypotonic group. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT test. Immunofluorescence, Western blotting and real‐time PCR were used to detect the expression of AQP5. Western blotting was used to detect the variation of MAPK pathway. The present study demonstrated that incubation of astrocytes in the hypotonic medium produced an increase inAQP5 expression, and AQP5 peaked at 6–12 h after hypotension solution exposure. In addition, MAPK pathways were set in motion under hypotension, but not all branches. Only the p38 inhibitor can inhibit AQP5 expression in cultured astrocytes. AQP5 is directly related to the extracellular hypotonic stimuli in astrocytes, which could be regulated through the p38 MAPK pathway.
Centripetal Representation
Authors: Hutton Ferris Daniel
Published: August 2022

This article develops a general theory about how representative systems might best promote democratic legitimacy – one that recognizes the potential benefits of networked responsiveness between diverse kinds of representative but is alert to the threat of fragmentation and the value of democratic simplicity. Deliberative democratic and constructivist theorists of representation tend to agree that more pluralistic systems of representation are more democratic. I will argue, however, that fragmentation can bias responsiveness toward elites and that democratic simplifications can help ordinary people engage with, understand, and influence their representatives, pushing back against gridlock, collusion, and capture by the powerful. Systems of representation are most likely to capture the benefits of pluralism and heterogeneity while avoiding fragmentation when their structure is “centripetal”: with power and influence moving inwards, via processes of networked responsiveness, from broadly inclusive peripheries to democratically simple cores.
Mayo adhesive probability score is associated with perioperative outcomes in retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy
Authors: Yuan Yeqing , Feng Huiquan , Kang Zheng , Xie Yunhai , Zhang Xueqi , Zhang Yixiang
Published: August 2022

Backgrounds

This study aimed to determine whether the Mayo adhesive probability score (MAP), which evaluated adherent perinephric fat (APF), is useful in evaluating the difficulty of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA), and to analyse the correlation between MAP and perioperative parameters.

Methods

Clinical data of 104 patients with adrenal adenoma who underwent RLA were collected for retrospective analysis. According to the CT images obtained before surgery, patients were divided into two groups: High MAP group (2–5 points) and Low MAP group (0–1 points). Comparison of the general clinical characteristics and the perioperative data between the two groups was made.

Results

There were more male patients (73.7% versus 34.3%), more patients with a smoking history (24.3% versus 7.5%), higher BMI (25.7 versus 23.2, kg/m2), and bigger (23.8 versus 18.5, mm) neoplasm in the high MAP group (P < 0.05). Significant difference was observed in operative time (128.8 versus 102.3, min), estimated blood loss (47.2 versus 25.2, ml) and drainage tube removal time (4.0 versus 3.2, d) between the two groups (P < 0.05). A high MAP score (P < 0.001) and the size of tumour (P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for extended operative time. A higher BMI (OR = 1.525, P < 0.001) and larger tumour size (OR = 2.862, P = 0.004) were independent risk factors for a high MAP score.

Conclusions

MAP score was associated with the perioperative outcomes of RLA. BMI and tumour size were better indicators of MAP score, which can influence the difficulty of RLA.
Local variation in low carbon footprint inhalers in pre‐COVID pandemic primary care prescribing guidelines for adult asthma in England and its potential impact
Authors: Twigg Adam J. , Wilkinson Alexander , Smith James N.
Published: August 2022

Aims

Pressurised metered‐dose inhalers (MDIs) have a much higher carbon footprint than dry powder inhalers (DPIs). We aimed to describe variations of inhaler options in local adult asthma prescribing guidance.

Methods

We reviewed local clinical commissioning group (CCG) adult asthma prescribing guidance for primary care in England in 2019 and recorded DPI and MDI inclusion. The relationship to prescribing data from OpenPrescribing.net was examined.

Results

In total, 58 unique guidance documents were analysed covering 144 out of 191 CCGs in England. Only 3% of CCG guidelines expressed an overall preference for DPIs, while 12% explicitly preferred MDIs. The inclusion of DPIs first‐line was 77% for short‐acting β‐agonists, 78% for low‐dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) inhalers and 90–96% for combination long‐acting β‐agonist/ICS inhalers. MDIs were included first‐line in 98–100% of these classes. In 26% of CCGs, there was no first‐line DPI option for at least 1 asthma management step. Ten percent of CCGs had no DPI included first‐line for any of the 5 classes examined. Many CCGs recommended higher carbon footprint options; Ventolin MDI (25.6%), inhalers containing HFA227ea (57.9%) and ICS regimes recommending 2 puffs of a lower dose over 1 puff of higher dose (94.2%). MDIs were prescribed more in CCGs that recommended them.

Conclusion

Before the COVID pandemic, there was substantial variation between CCGs in adult asthma prescribing guidance regarding higher and lower carbon footprint options. There may still be scope to amend local guidance to improve clinical and environmental outcomes. This study provides a method and baseline for further investigation of this.
A Latent State Space Model for Estimating Brain Dynamics from Electroencephalogram (EEG) Data
Authors: Wang Qinxia , Loh Ji Meng , He Xiaofu , Wang Yuanjia
Published: August 2022

Modern neuroimaging technologies have substantially advanced the measurement of brain activity. Electroencephalogram (EEG) as a noninvasive neuroimaging technique measures changes in electrical voltage on the scalp induced by brain cortical activity. With its high temporal resolution, EEG has emerged as an increasingly useful tool to study brain connectivity. Challenges with modeling EEG signals of complex brain activity include interactions among unknown sources, low signal-to-noise ratio, and substantial between-subject heterogeneity. In this work, we propose a state space model that jointly analyzes multichannel EEG signals and learns dynamics of different sources corresponding to brain cortical activity. Our model borrows strength from spatially correlated measurements and uses low-dimensional latent states to explain all observed channels. The model can account for patient heterogeneity and quantify the effect of a subject's covariates on the latent space. The EM algorithm, Kalman filtering, and bootstrap resampling are used to fit the state space model and provide comparisons between patient diagnostic groups. We apply the developed approach to a case-control study of alcoholism and reveal significant attenuation of brain activity in response to visual stimuli in alcoholic subjects compared to healthy controls.
A monkeypox virus infection mimicking primary syphilis
Authors: Turco Martina , Mancuso Fabrizio R. , Pisano Luigi
Published: August 2022

Given the current monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in at-risk men who have sex with men (MSM), clinicians should consider MPXV a differential diagnosis of syphilis, in any patient with a solitary painless genital nodule.
Primary school children rate children with autism negatively on looks, speech and speech content
Authors: Stagg Steven D. , Thompson‐Robertson Lauren , Morgan Carina
Published: August 2022

Adults and adolescents form negative first impressions of ASD adults and children. We examined the first impression ratings of primary school children (6–9 years) of their ASD peers. 146 school children rated either silent videos, speech or transcribe speech from 14 actors (7 ASD, 7 TD). The ASD actors were rated more negatively than the typically developing actors on all three stimulus types. Children with ASD are likely to be judged more negatively than their peers at the very start of their formal education. Contrary to previous research, for primary school children, the content of the speech was judged as negatively as the delivery of the speech.
ThinPrep® imaging system‐assisted vs manual screening of urinary cytology slides in the detection of the “suspicious for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma” category
Authors: Piaton Eric , Prat Jean‐Jacques , Nennig Cindy , Hutin Karine , Colombel Marc , Ruffion Alain
Published: August 2022

Background

The ThinPrep® Imaging System (TIS) is a Food and Drug Administration‐approved review system for cervical cytopathology, where it has been shown to increase performance over manually reviewed slides. Application of the TIS to urinary cytology has only been reported in a single study, in 2013.

Methods

We aimed to compare the agreement of two cytotechnologists' and a pathologist's manual screening (dots) with the fields of view (FOVs) selected by the TIS. We also aimed to track cases in which the TIS could identify missed abnormals and reduce the false‐negative fraction. Electronically marked TIS fields (EMTFs) suspicious for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC) were controlled by follow‐up cystoscopy and histology, where available.

Results

A total of 826 consecutive specimens were studied. Of those, 94 (11.4%) were unreadable by the TIS. There were 710 possible comparisons, of which 380 (53.5%) received no dot after manual screening. Of the 330 remaining slides, 149 (45.1%) had at least one dot matching with the TIS FOVs. After TIS reading, EMTFs were noted in 13 of 636 (2.0%) negative cytology cases. Surveillance showed that 3/13 (23.1%, 0.4% of the 710 possible comparisons) of those cases matched with high grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC), whereas 6/13 (46.1%, 0.8% of the 710 possible comparisons) had negative follow‐up at 24 months, and 4/13 (30.8%) were lost for follow‐up.

Conclusion

The TIS increases the detection rate of SHGUC cells, potentially leading to a slight decrease in the false‐negative fraction, but at the expense of a slight but larger increase in the number of false‐positive cases. These findings stress the importance of a careful approach to the evaluation of the FOVs.
Behavioural thermoregulation by montane ungulates under climate warming
Authors: Zhou Wenliang , Wang Meng , Gao Kai , Gao Hualei , Wei Fuwen , Nie Yonggang
Published: August 2022

Aim

Global warming is threatening species survival worldwide. Cold‐adapted montane ungulates may be among the first species to be affected by global warming. Here, we investigate the behavioural thermoregulation hypothesis that montane ungulates buffer the effects of warming climate through behavioural adjustment.

Location

Foping National Nature Reserve (FNNR) on the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China.

Methods

We used infrared camera traps over six consecutive years to monitor behavioural responses of montane ungulates to seasonal and diurnal changes in ambient temperature. We evaluated how seasonal altitudinal migration and changes to their daily activity budget may mitigate the effect of warming on montane ungulates.

Results

All four montane ungulate species examined here preferred ambient temperatures <22°C in summer. On this basis, we estimate that 27.9% (+2°C) and 46.7% (+3°C) of suitable summer habitats will become unsuitable under climate change. Chinese muntjac and tufted deer displayed behavioural changes to daily activity budgets, which may help them overcome global climate warming to a certain extent. By contrast, golden takin and wild boar did not display similar behavioural changes, and it may be because they are not affected by current shifts in climate due to larger body size and thus lower thermal stress.

Main Conclusions

These analyses demonstrate different species responses to warming are likely and are determined by specific tolerances to ambient temperature thresholds. However, it remains to be seen whether species interactions caused by behavioural shifts may affect species ability to respond to climate.
Changes in body mass index during treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the Nordic ALL2008 protocol
Authors: Egnell Christina , Närhinen Hanna , Merker Andrea , Jonsson Ólafur G. , Lepik Kristi , Niinimäki Riitta , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Stabell Niklas , Klug Albertsen Birgitte , Vaitkeviciene Goda , Ranta Susanna , Harila‐Saari Arja
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a tendency to gain weight during treatment. As overweight and obesity associate with health problems, prophylactic interventions are warranted. Therefore, it is important to identify the children most prone to gain weight.

Methods

Patients aged 2.0–17.9 years at ALL diagnosis were identified from the NOPHO ALL2008 registry. Registry data was complemented with height and weight at the end of therapy from questionnaires. Body mass index (BMI) was classified according to international age‐ and sex‐adjusted International Obesity Task Force BMI cut‐offs. BMI values were transformed into standard deviation scores (SDS) to calculate the difference in BMISDS during treatment.

Results

Data on BMI change were available for 765 children. Overweight and obesity doubled during treatment: 9.7% were overweight and 2.1% obese at diagnosis and 21.8% and 5.4% at the end of therapy, respectively. The mean BMISDS change was +0.64. Younger (2.0–5.9 years) and healthy weight children were most prone to become overweight (mean change in BMI SDS +0.85 and + 0.65, respectively).

Conclusions

Younger children (2.0–5.9 years) with healthy weight at diagnosis were most prone to becoming overweight and therefore are an important group to target while considering interventions.
Murdoch's ontological argument
Authors: Mason Cathy , Dougherty Matt
Published: August 2022

Anselm's ontological argument is an argument for the existence of God. This paper presents Iris Murdoch's ontological argument for the existence of the Good. It discusses her interpretation of Anselm's argument, her own distinctive appropriation of it, as well as some of the merits of her version of the argument. In doing so, it also shows how the argument integrates some key Murdochian ideas: morality's wide scope, the basicness of vision to morality, moral realism, and Platonism.
Structures of lactaldehyde reductase, FucO, link enzyme activity to hydrogen bond networks and conformational dynamics
Authors: Zavarise Alberto , Sridhar Shruthi , Kiema Tiila‐Riikka , Wierenga Rikkert K. , Widersten Mikael
Published: August 2022

A group‐III iron containing 1,2‐propanediol oxidoreductase, FucO, (also known as lactaldehyde reductase) from Escherichia coli was examined regarding its structure–dynamics–function relationships in the catalysis of the NADH‐dependent reduction of (2S)‐lactaldehyde. Crystal structures of FucO variants in the presence or absence of cofactors have been determined, illustrating large domain movements between the apo and holo enzyme structures. Different structures of FucO variants co‐crystallized with NAD+ or NADH together with substrate further suggest dynamic properties of the nicotinamide moiety of the coenzyme that are important for the reaction mechanism. Modelling of the native substrate (2S)‐lactaldehyde into the active site can explain the stereoselectivity exhibited by the enzyme, with a critical hydrogen bond interaction between the (2S)‐hydroxyl and the side‐chain of N151, as well as the previously experimentally demonstrated pro‐(R) selectivity in hydride transfer from NADH to the aldehydic carbon. Furthermore, the deuterium kinetic isotope effect of hydride transfer suggests that reduction chemistry is the main rate‐limiting step for turnover which is not the case in FucO catalysed alcohol oxidation. We further propose that a water molecule in the active site – hydrogen bonded to a conserved histidine (H267) and the 2′‐hydroxyl of the coenzyme ribose – functions as a catalytic proton donor in the protonation of the product alcohol. A hydrogen bond network of water molecules and the side‐chains of amino acid residues D360 and H267 links bulk solvent to this proposed catalytic water molecule.
A trophic cascade triggers blooms of Asterionella formosa in subtropical eutrophic Lake Taihu, China
Authors: Liu Xia , Li Yun , Shen Ruijie , Jeppesen Erik , Liu Zhengwen , Chen Feizhou
Published: August 2022

The importance of trophic interactions for determining the distributions, abundances, and taxonomic compositions of organisms in ecosystems has long been studied and debated. Here we test the effect of a trophic cascade on diatom (Asterionella formosa) blooms in subtropical, eutrophic Lake Taihu, China.

A long‐term data series (2005–2015) on planktivorous fish, zooplankton and diatoms has been analysed. Structural equation modelling is used to test our hypotheses about the influences of top‐down and bottom‐up forces on A. formosa.

Since 2009, a spring bloom of A. formosa has occurred in the lake, coinciding with a reduction of Daphnia galeata biomass and of total cladoceran biomass following a marked increase in the stock of planktivorous fish (bighead carp and silver carp). Light, phosphorus (total and soluble reactive phosphate) and silica did not act as limiting factors for the growth of A. formosa.

Structural equation modelling analysis showed that top‐down effects of cladocerans on A. formosa biomass were more important than bottom‐up effects (wind speed and soluble reactive phosphate). Although A. formosa was negatively correlated with total nitrogen, total with other inorganic nitrogen (NO3 and NH4) did not restrict the proliferation of diatom blooms after 2007. These results suggested that the substantial reduction of the Daphnia population caused a diatom bloom through a trophic cascade by planktivorous fish.

Our study provides new insight into the effects of trophic interactions on diatom bloom formation in natural freshwater ecosystems.
isocalcR: An R package to streamline and standardize stable isotope calculations in ecological research
Authors: Mathias Justin M. , Hudiburg Tara W.
Published: August 2022

The use of stable isotopes to characterize ecosystem dynamics and infer leaf gas exchange processes has become increasingly prevalent over the last few decades within the ecological community. While advancements in theory and our understanding of the physiological processes controlling isotopic signatures in plants has been well‐documented, no standardized tool currently exists to facilitate the computation of common isotope‐derived plant physiological indices. Here, we present isocalcR, an R package intended to facilitate the use of stable isotope data from plant tissues by providing an integrated collection of functions and recommended reference data. The isocalcR R package contains a suite of functions that compute leaf carbon isotope discrimination (∆13C), leaf intercellular [CO2], the ratio of leaf intercellular to atmospheric [CO2], the difference between atmospheric and leaf intercellular [CO2], and intrinsic water use efficiency from carbon isotope signatures in leaf or wood tissue with minimal inputs from the user. isocalcR also implements and provides recommended input atmospheric [CO2] (ppm) and atmospheric δ13CO2 (‰) data for the period 0–2021 C.E. A major goal of isocalcR is to provide a standardized, open‐source tool to streamline the calculation of reproducible physiological indices from stable isotope signatures in plant tissues, incorporating the most up‐to‐date theory, while simultaneously eliminating potential errors associated with complex calculations. isocalcR can be used for any location globally as long as the user provides information regarding temperature and elevation to the main workhorse functions.
Masticatory function of stroke patients: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Shu Xin , Fan Yanpin , Leung Katherine Chiu Man , Lo Edward Chin Man
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The present systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to summarise the current information on the masticatory function of stroke patients.

Methods

Four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science) were searched for relevant observational studies and clinical trials (up to Jun 2021) on the masticatory function of stroke patients. Two reviewers independently performed study selection and quality assessments (using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist). Meta‐analysis was conducted for the comparison of bite force and masticatory performance using standardised mean difference (SMD). Of the 3837 records identified, nine studies, corresponding to 11 papers and 302 participants, were included in the analysis.

Results

The maximum bite force of stroke patients was significantly lower than that of the healthy individuals (SMD −0.52, 95% CI: −0.95 to −0.08, P = .02). There was no significant difference between the ipsi‐lesional and the contra‐lesional sides of the same stroke patient (SMD 0.13, 95% CI: −0.14 to 0.39, P = .34). Stroke patients had lower masticatory performance than healthy people (SMD −0.97, 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.37, P < .00001), and the contra‐lesional side was worse than the ipsi‐lesional side. Electromyographic analysis indicated that muscle activation of stroke patients was poorer than the healthy individuals, and stroke patients seem to exhibit dysfunction in the recruiting and firing of motor units.

Conclusions

Stroke patients have lower maximum bite force and masticatory performance than healthy people, with masticatory performance being the most affected.
Self‐densified ultrathin solid electrolyte membrane fabricated from monodispersed sulfide electrolyte nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Lilin , Xue Bai , Wang Hongjiao , Su Zhenghua , Luo Zhongkuan , Wang Fang , Zhang Xianghua , Calvez Laurent , Fan Bo
Published: August 2022

Reducing particle size of sulfide electrolytes to nanoscale is essential for preparing ultrathin sulfide electrolyte membrane of all‐solid‐state batteries. However, there lacks effective way to synthesize sulfide electrolyte nanoparticles with good morphology uniformity. In this work, a dual precursor sol route is developed to speed up the synthesis of lithium thiophosphate (LPS) from tens of hours by conventional liquid‐phase routes to <50 min. The promoted reaction kinetics inhibit the overgrowth of the product particles so that monodispersed LPS nanoparticles with sizes of 44 ± 6 nm are prepared. Membranes fabricated from the nanoparticles achieve a thickness of 0.5–1.0 μm, which are reduced by one order of magnitude in comparison with those of reported sulfide electrolyte membranes. Moreover, the monodispersity makes the nanoparticles closely packed in the green membrane, so that the membrane can be self‐densified without applying pressure, whereas 100‐MPa‐level pressure is indispensable for conventional membrane fabrication technologies. The ultrathin LPS membrane is also successfully employed in all‐solid‐state LiFePO4 thin film batteries. This work not only provides a heuristic strategy to synthesis sulfide electrolyte nanoparticles but also develops a pressing‐free fabrication route of sulfide electrolyte membranes, which is eagerly demanded for high‐energy‐density all‐solid‐state batteries.
Around the EQUATOR with clinician‐scientists transdisciplinary aging research (Clin‐STAR) principles: Implementation science challenges and opportunities
Authors: Carpenter Christopher R. , Southerland Lauren T. , Lucey Brendan P. , Prusaczyk Beth
Published: August 2022

The Institute of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging increasingly understand that knowledge alone is necessary but insufficient to improve healthcare outcomes. Adapting the behaviors of clinicians, patients, and stakeholders to new standards of evidence‐based clinical practice is often significantly delayed. In response, over the past twenty years, Implementation Science has developed as the study of methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence‐based practice into regular use by practitioners and policymakers. One important advance in Implementation Science research was the development of Standards for Reporting Implementation Studies (StaRI), which provided a 27‐item checklist for researchers to consistently report essential elements of the implementation and intervention strategies. Using StaRI as a framework, this review discusses specific Implementation Science challenges for research with older adults, provides solutions for those obstacles, and opportunities to improve the value of this evolving approach to reduce the knowledge translation losses that exist between published research and clinical practice.
Persistent loneliness due to COVID‐19 over 18 months of the pandemic: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kotwal Ashwin A. , Batio Stephanie , Wolf Michael S. , Covinsky Kenneth E. , Yoshino Benavente Julia , Perissinotto Carla M. , O'Conor Rachel M.
Published: August 2022

Background

Loneliness was common early in the COVID‐19 pandemic due to physical distancing measures, but little is known about how loneliness persisted into later stages of the pandemic. We therefore examined longitudinal trajectories of loneliness over 18 months of the pandemic and subgroups at risk for persistent loneliness.

Methods

We used data from the COVID‐19 & Chronic Conditions study collected between March 27, 2020 to December 10, 2021, including 641 predominantly older adults with ≥1 chronic condition who completed six interviews at approximately 3 month intervals. Participants reported loneliness (defined as some, most, or all of the time) during the past week due to COVID‐19. We used trajectory mixture models to identify clusters of individuals following similar trajectories of loneliness, then determined subgroups likely to be classified in different loneliness trajectories using multivariable regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Participants were on average 63 years old, 61% female, 30% Black, 20% Latinx, and 29% were living below the poverty level. There was an overall reduction in loneliness over time (March to April/2020: 51% to September to December/2021: 31%, p = 0.01). Four distinct trajectory groups emerged: (1) “Persistent Loneliness” (n = 101, 16%); (2) “Adapted” (n = 141, 22%), individuals who were initially lonely, with feelings of loneliness decreasing over time; (3) “Occasional loneliness” (n = 189, 29%); and (4) “Never lonely” (n = 211, 33%). Subgroups at highest risk of the “Persistently Lonely” trajectory included those identifying as Latinx (aOR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.2), or living in poverty (aOR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.4, 4.6).

Conclusions

Although loneliness declined for a majority of older adults during the pandemic in our sample, persistent loneliness attributed to the COVID‐19 pandemic was common (1 in 6 adults), particularly among individuals identifying as Hispanic/Latinx or living in poverty. Interventions addressing loneliness can ease pandemic‐related suffering, and may mitigate long‐term mental and physical health consequences.
Light up: an intervention study of the effect of environmental dynamic lighting on sleep–wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Böhmer M. N. , Oppewal A. , Valstar M. J. , Bindels P. J. E. , van Someren E. J. W. , Maes‐Festen D. A. M.
Published: August 2022

Background

Evidence‐based interventions to improve the sleep–wake rhythm, mood and behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are limited. Increasing light exposure has been shown to be effective in improving the sleep–wake rhythm, mood, and behaviour in other populations. The current study investigates the effect of installing environmental dynamic lighting in common living rooms of care facilities on sleep–wake rhythm, mood, and behaviour in older adults with ID.

Methods

A non‐randomised, non‐concurrent, multiple baseline study was performed from October 2017 to May 2018. Fifty‐four participants [mean (SD) age of 63.42 (8.6) years, 65% female] in six care facilities were included. All participants had three baseline measurements (Weeks 1, 5 and 9). Dynamic lighting was installed in Week 10, after which three intervention measurements took place (Weeks 12, 17 and 24). Sleep characteristics and the sleep–wake rhythm were assessed using actigraphy (GENEActiv). Mood was measured with the Anxiety, Depression and Mood Scale (ADAMS) and behaviour with the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC).

Results

Mixed‐effect regression analysis showed a worsening of the primary outcome interdaily stability (P = 0.001). This could be attributed to one care facility, whereas interdaily stability did not change in the other care facilities (P = 0.74). Dynamic lighting led to earlier mid‐sleep (P = 0.003) and sleep onset (P < .0001) and improved mood as indicated by lower scores on the ADAMS depression (−0.64 SD, P < 0.001) and social avoidance (−0.47 SD, P = 0.004) subscales. The prevalence of screening above cut‐off for depression decreased from 23 to 9.8% (OR = .16, P = 0.003). For behaviour, a decrease was seen in hyperactivity (−0.43 SD, P < 0.001), lethargy (−0.35 SD, P = 0.008) and irritability (−0.33 SD, P < .001) as measured with the ABC. No adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

Installing dynamic lighting in common living areas for older adults with ID improved the mood and behaviour of the residents up to 14 weeks after placement. Integrated dynamic lighting is a promising, undemanding and potentially effective addition to improve mood and behaviour in care organisations for people with ID, but does not seem to do so by improving sleep or sleep–wake rhythms.
Career Outcome Expectations of Chinese Medical Students: A Short‐Term Longitudinal Study1
Authors: Wang Wei , Mei Songli
Published: August 2022

This study examined the longitudinal association between career outcome expectations and positive psychological capital, using data from four investigations of 885 Chinese medical students over a 9‐month period. Latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) and latent growth mixture modeling (LGMM) were used to examine the overall trajectory of career outcome expectations and to group them. Career outcome expectations showed a linear growth trend on the whole. The modeling distinguished three growth trajectories of career outcome expectations. There is an association between positive psychological capital and career outcome expectations, that is, positive psychological capital positively affects career outcome expectations and not the other way around. The results speak to the noteworthy individual differences in the development of career outcome expectations among Chinese medical students.
Armodafinil to reduce the sleepiness related side‐effects of sleep restriction therapy being used to treat insomnia disorder: An open label clinical trial pilot study compared with historical controls
Authors: Judge Daniel J. , Miller Christopher B. , Bartlett Delwyn J. , Jomaa Ibrahim , Wong Keith K. W. , Saini Bandana , Semsarian Caitlin R. , Espie Colin A. , Kyle Simon D. , Grunstein Ron R. , Yee Brendon J. , Marshall Nathaniel S.
Published: August 2022

Sleep restriction therapy (SRT) is an effective stand‐alone behavioural intervention for insomnia disorder. However, its daytime side effects, particularly sleepiness, may be troubling for patients and/or may be a necessary part of the patient's treatment journey. This pilot trial aims to explore the potential benefit of armodafinil, a wakefulness promoter. Patients were treated with SRT with open label adjunctive armodafinil (150 mg/day). Thirty‐three patients from previous studies that have undergone exactly the same SRT intervention acted as controls. The primary outcome measure was the insomnia severity index (ISI), and secondary outcomes were the Epworth sleepiness scale, sleep restriction adherence scale (SRAS), and safety from baseline through to 12 weeks. We recruited 25 patients into the trial. Data for the primary end point (ISI at 12 weeks) was available for 20 of the participants. The baseline insomnia severity index was 20.2 (SD 3.3) and decreased to 9.1 (SE 1.1), with no change, to 10.2 and 11.2 at weeks 6 and 12 respectively (all p > 0.05 compared with baseline). The insomnia severity index values for armodafinil patients were statistically inferior to historical controls at the primary time point of 12 weeks (11.2 vs. 6.7, p < 0.01). Sleep restriction therapy plus armodafinil treatment was associated with frequent minor side effects but was generally safe and acceptable to patients. Sleep restriction therapy was associated with a robust clinical response in the insomnia severity index values for insomnia patients. Based upon historical control data, armodafinil does not appear to have beneficial adjunctive effects in addition to sleep restriction therapy alone.
Is artificial urinary sphincter surgery safe and effective in elderly males aged 70 years and above?
Authors: Chung Eric , Wang Juan , Cartmill Ross
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction rate between men aged under and over 70 years who underwent artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) surgery.

Methods

A prospective review of all men who received AUS between January 2008 and January 2018 was undertaken with a minimum 24‐month review. All patient demographics and surgical outcomes including data on the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I) and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Frailty Index (NSQIP‐FI) scores, as well as patient satisfaction rates, were recorded.

Results

Of the 245 AUS implanted, 60 patients were aged ≥70 years with 45 virgin cases and 15 revision AUS. Reduction in mean pad use and weight over 24 hours were significant at 0.21 (0–1) pads and 8 (0–30) g in both groups with no significant difference (P = 0.76). Kaplan–Meier estimates of AUS survival showed no significant difference between men aged ≥ and <70 years at 1 year (98% versus 96%; P = 0.44). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that radiation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% CI 1.4–6.8; P < 0.01) was a significant predictor of AUS revision, while age ≥ 70 years (adjusted OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.8–8.8; P = 0.14) and frailty (NSQIP‐FI ≥ 0.27 adjusted OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.2–7.6; P = 0.82) were not. There were no significant differences in PGI‐I scores (P = 0.43) and overall satisfaction rate (83% versus 84%; P = 0.44) between the two groups.

Conclusions

Men aged ≥70 years reported similar clinical efficacy as men aged <70 years in terms of device survival and satisfaction rates following AUS surgery.
Spinal cord stimulation in patients suffering from chronic pain after surgery for spinal intradural tumors: A case report and literature summary
Authors: Noordhof Robin K. , Vinke Saman , Kurt Erkan
Published: August 2022

Background

The prevalence of pain after treatment of a spinal intradural tumor is remarkably high, approximately up to 40% of the patients suffer from central neuropathic pain. Publications on spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and its effect on pain caused by intradural spinal tumors are rare. We discuss the case of a patient suffering from chronic pain after removal of a Th7 level meningioma who was successfully treated with SCS and give an overview of the literature.

Methods

MEDLINE database was searched for neuropathic pain and intradural tumors.

Results

The initial search identified 35 articles, including hand‐searched manuscripts. Six articles were included for analysis.

Case Report

A 57‐year‐old female suffers from neuropathic pain in both legs after surgical removal of a Th7 level intradural meningioma. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging shows no gross abnormalities, although she developed chronic pain in both legs. Pain in combination with side effects of analgesic intake are too disabling to have decent quality of life. A successful implantation of SCS is achieved at Th5 level as a treatment for the central neuropathic pain, and, at 36 months follow‐up, there is significant pain relief and almost complete discontinuation of analgesics.

Discussion

Central pain from spinal intradural tumors may have a different mechanism of origin than pain seen after an acute spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the basic principles of neuromodulation are the same in both etiologies, as for successful stimulation intact pathways in the spinal cord are necessary. The efficacy of SCS as treatment in intradural spinal tumors is rarely described as only a handful of case reports are published. Interestingly, the case reports show that stimulation both above and below the lesion can be effective. In patients with incomplete SCI or intradural tumor resection stimulation below the lesion could be considered and tried in a trial setting before definitive implantation.
Green nail syndrome complicated by pseudomonal keratitis in a teenager with artificial nails
Authors: Nowakowska Malgorzata K. , Rodriguez Edgar D. , Gurney Nicholas T. , Chang Jack Y. , Hunt Raegan D. , Yen Kimberly G. , Kim Eric J. , Metry Denise W.
Published: August 2022

Green nail syndrome (GNS) is a pseudomonal nail infection that presents with characteristic green nail discoloration. It typically affects patients with preexisting nail conditions or chronic exposure to wet environments but can also be seen with local trauma. Our patient presented with a pseudomonal corneal ulcer of the left eye and was incidentally found to have GNS, which developed after home artificial nail application. This unusual case of extensive pediatric GNS illustrates a rare and serious infectious complication of prolonged artificial nails.
Effect of goods market segmentation on labor mobility: Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Dongmei , Hu Die , Sun Weizeng
Published: August 2022

This study empirically investigates the effects of goods market segmentation on interregional labor mobility using data from National Population Surveys in China. The findings reveal that a one‐standard deviation increase in the goods market segmentation index reduces interprovincial migration by 4.0%. Restraining interregional trade and improving industrial specialization are the two mechanisms at work. Further analysis indicates that the restrictive effect of goods market segmentation is greater on highly educated laborers and the labor flows from poorer to richer regions. The heterogeneous analysis also implies that migrants are more concerned about educational resources and consumption diversity.