bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Aim of Science
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: October 2022

This chapter argues that the aim of science is the production of scientific knowledge. It sets up a parallel between the institution of science and the cognitive faculty of belief. The aim of belief is knowledge, and likewise the aim of science is knowledge. The ‘aim of belief ’ and ‘the aim of science’ are to be understood not in terms of intentions but instead in terms of ‘norms of correctness’. These norms of correctness stem from the fact that belief and science each have a constitutive function—true belief and true accepted hypotheses. A belief or a hypothesis meets the norms of correctness when it is the product of a properly functioning cognitive or scientific system. A system that has the function of producing truth may malfunction and produce falsehood or accidental truth. When such as system is functioning properly the product is knowledge.
Scientific Progress
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: October 2022

The preceding chapter argued that the aim of science is the production of scientific knowledge. This chapter argues for the corresponding claim about scientific progress: scientific progress is the accumulation of scientific knowledge. This exemplifies the epistemic approach to progress, according to which an episode must meet certain epistemic standards for it to be progressive. This chapter contrasts this account with the views that hold that progress is increasing verisimilitude or increasing problem-solving power. These lack an epistemic element (at least when understood externalistically), which make progress too easy. This chapter also contrasts the cumulative knowledge account with the noetic account, which links progress to understanding, where the latter is taken to concern explanatory and predictive power. This view is over-demanding, since there are contributions to knowledge that do not involve addition of understanding (or explanatory or predictive power).
Science as Social Knowing
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: October 2022

Science is an institution. It is a social entity, as are the communities of specialists in a particular field, learned societies, and research groups. Knowledge is often attributed to such groups. What does it mean to say that a group knows something? How does the epistemology of groups relate to the epistemology of individuals? This chapter contrasts two general approaches to social knowing: the supervenience approach—social states supervene on the states and behaviour of individuals; and the analogy approach—social states are analogues of individual states. The exemplar of the supervenience approach is the commitment model, so called because a group believes a proposition when the individuals in the group are jointly committed to letting that proposition stand as the view of the group. The exemplar of the analogy approach is the distributed model. According to this model,there are social structures that have cognitive functions—social cognitive systems—within which individuals typically have distinct functional roles, roles that are often mediated by physical infrastructure. This chapter argues in favour of the analogy approach and of the distributed model in particular. Social knowing neither reduces to nor even supervenes on the epistemic or other mental states of individuals. Its supervenience basis includes the material means of information production, storage, and exchange. The Durkheimian sociology introduced in Chapter 2 is extended to show that science, characterized by distributed cognition, really does consist of social entities capable of possessing cognitive states.
Probability and Plausibility
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: October 2022

Often in science evidence falls short of what is required in order to accept a hypothesis outright. Instead one accords it some degree of probability. This chapter describes a theory of what such probabilities are. Standard, personalist Bayesianism is the best-known theory of probabilistic reasoning in science. Some Bayesians reject explanationism, defended in the preceding cic for determining elements in Bayes’s theorem. The chapter outlines three challenges for compatibilism. Answering these challenges motivates rejecting the personalism of standard Bayesianism. Instead the chapter develops a ‘super-objective’ Bayesianism that takes probability evaluations in science to be assessments of plausibility in the light of the evidence. Superobjectivism allows explanationist considerations to inform evaluations of the prior P(e) and the ratio P(e|h)/P(e), while also supporting the claim that explanation chapter, on the ground that it inconsistent with Bayesianism. The chapter starts by developing a version of heuristic compatibilism. This line of defence maintains that explanationism is compatible with Bayesianism since it provides a heuristism needs Inference to the Only Explanation if it is to account for knowledge.
Metascientific Knowledge?
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: October 2022

Does science give knowledge of the world? To claim to know an answer to this question, whether positive or negative, is to claim metascientific knowledge. The two most famous metascientific arguments are the No Miracles Argument and the Pessimistic Meta-Induction. The chapter argues that neither argument can give metascientific knowledge of the global sort, concerning all of science, that each aims to achieve. One line of argument points out that science is too heterogeneous to permit a successful global metascientific argument. So, normally, one cannot use a metascientific argument to bypass engagement with or to gainsay the conclusions of the first-order scientific arguments. At most, local metascientific arguments might adjust the confidence one has in the methods—and so results—of some particular field.
High-Quality Genome Resource of Gilbertella persicaria Causing Peach Soft Rot
Authors: Wang Youyu , Xu Bo , Fang Lemin , Jiang Zhenghua , Zeng Wenfang , Tang Xiaomei , Liu Lun , Liu Pu , Jia Bing
Published: October 2022

Peach soft rot caused by Gilbertella persicaria is an economically important disease. Here, we report a high-quality complete and annotated genome sequence of G. persicaria strain TFLB-J, isolated from peach fruit in Yuanyang county of Henan Province, China. The assembly consists of 91 scaffolds with an estimated genome size of 33.59 Mb and N50 length of 0.92 Mb, encoding 13,296 predicted protein-coding genes. The whole-genome sequence could provide gene resources for further study of pathogenic effectors and comparative genomics of peach soft rot pathogens.
High-Quality Genome Resource of Ustilaginoidea virens (UV2_4G), Causal Agent of an Emerging False Smut Disease in Rice
Authors: Bashyal Bishnu Maya , Yadav Gaurav Kumar , Parmar Pooja , Sunani Sunil Kumar , Aggarwal Shweta , Gopala Krishnan S. , Kumar Atul , Zaidi Najam Waris , Aggarwal Rashmi
Published: October 2022

Ustilaginoidea virens is the fungal pathogen causing an emerging false smut disease that affects crop yield as well as deteriorates quality of the grains by producing mycotoxins. A high quality genome of U. virens isolate UV2_4G was sequenced using Nanopore and Illumina HiSeq 2,000 sequencing platforms. The total assembled genome of Indian isolate UV2_4G was 35.9 Mb, which comprised 89 scaffolds with N50 of 700,296 bp. A total of 358,697 variants were identified in the genome, out of which 355,173 were SNPs and 3,524 were INDELS. Further, 7,390 SSRs belonging to different repeat types were also identified in the genome. Out of 7,444 proteins predicted, 7,206 were functionally annotated. A total of 1,307 CAZymes, 501 signal peptides, 1,876 effectors, and 2,709 genes involved in host-pathogen interactions were identified. Comparative analysis revealed isolate UV2_4G is distinct with 31 unique clusters and placed distantly in phylogenetic analysis. Taken together, this high-quality genome assembly and sequence annotation resource can give an improved insight for characterizing the biological and pathogenic mechanisms of U. virens.
Complete Genome Sequence Resource for a Recently Isolated Potato Ring Rot Pathogen, Clavibacter sepedonicus K496
Authors: Ma Xing , Perry Keith L. , Swingle Bryan
Published: October 2022

Potato ring rot caused by Clavibacter sepedonicus has been a devastating disease in the U.S. since 1930. In this study, we isolated a recent C. sepedonicus strain, K496, from potato tubers showing discolorations of the vascular cylinder or pith tissues. We de novo assembled the genome sequence of K496 with 1,924,544,313 bp of Nanopore reads (N50 = 13,785 bp) using Flye v2.9 and polished it with 2 × 150 bp paired-end Illumina reads (855,788,703 bp in total). The resulting genome of K496 consists of a single circular chromosome 3,266,016 bp long and a linear plasmid of 135,489 bp. Using the NCBI PGAP v5.3, this genome was predicted to have 3,301 genes, encompassing 3,247 protein-coding genes, 90 pseudogenes, two 5S rRNA-coding, two 16S rRNA-coding, two 23S rRNA-coding sequences, 45 tRNAs, and three noncoding RNAs. The chromosome and plasmid sequences have been deposited at the NCBI GenBank database under the accession numbers CP088266 and CP088267, respectively.
Genome Resource of Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 4 Strain AG4-JY, a Pathomycete of Sheath Blight of Foxtail Millet
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Jia Lixia , Zhou Cheng , Mao Yanan , Shen Shen , Hao Zhimin , Li Zhiyong
Published: October 2022

The basidiomycetous fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn (teleomorph Thanatephorus cucumeris [Frank] Donk) is a fungal pathogen that causes various diseases on economically important crops, such as foxtail millet, maize, and rice. Using the PacBio Sequel platform, we assembled a draft genome of an R. solani strain AG4-JY that was isolated from foxtail millet with sheath blight at the stem. The genome was approximately 43.43 Mb on 53 scaffolds, with a scaffold N50 length of 2.10 Mb. In all, 10,545 genes and 179 noncoding RNAs were predicted, and 10,488 genes had at least one database annotation. In addition, the proteins encoded by 709 genes were predicted as secretory proteins. The AG4-JY genome sequence provides a valuable resource for understanding the interactions between R. solani and foxtail millet and controls sheath blight in the world.
Genome Resources for Four Clarireedia Species Causing Dollar Spot on Diverse Turfgrasses
Authors: Zhang Huangwei , Dong Yinglu , Jin Peiyuan , Hu Jian , Lamour Kurt , Yang Zhimin
Published: October 2022

Dollar spot (DS) is a destructive fungal disease impacting almost all warm- and cool-season turfgrasses worldwide. Multiple fungal species in the genus Clarireedia are causal agents of DS. Here, we present whole-genome assemblies of nine fungal isolates in the genus Clarireedia, including four species (C. paspali, C. hainanense, C. jacksonii, and C. monteithiana) causing DS on seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in China. This work provides valuable baseline genomic data to support further research and management of DS pathogens on turfgrasses.
Comparing the Energy-Stretch Properties of Two Compression Bandage Systems in a Laboratory-Based Test under Controlled Conditions
Authors: Arias-Guzman Sandra , Oberg Craig , Jones Randy , Call Evan
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVE

To compare the characteristics of two commercially available compression systems, a dual-compression bandage system (DCS) and a traditional two-layer bandage (TLB), using a laboratory bench test.

METHODS

The compression systems were evaluated in a computer-controlled tensile test to generate force-deflection curves for each sample. The compressive work and the theoretical pressure applied to the limb by the respective compression bandages were calculated at the maximum stretch and a stretch instructed by the manufacturers. The manufacturer of the DCS provides reference points on how much the bandage should be stretched to provide the desired pressure, and the TLB stretch was calculated from the product’s datasheet.

RESULTS

The combined results of layers 1 and 2 for the DCS showed greater load and work than the TLB at both the maximum and recommended stretch. The recommended stretch for DCS and TLB was less than 50% of the deflection up to the breaking point.

CONCLUSIONS

The high work provided by the two layers of the DCS suggests a wider range of performance than the TLB when applied to the lower limb, especially after the limb volume is initially reduced by compression. Moreover, using the tensile test and the guide of the reference points on layers 1 and 2 from DCS, the calculated pressure achieved the expected values stated by the manufacturer. Human studies should be conducted to determine whether the reference points provided by DCS are beneficial for obtaining repeatable values.
INCIDENCE OF NEW DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA IN FELLOW EYES OF PATIENTS IN THE VISTA AND VIVID STUDIES
Authors: Dhoot Dilsher S. , Moini Hadi , Reed Kimberly , Silva Fabiana Q. , Berliner Alyson , Du Weiming , Sharma Sumit
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

To characterize diabetic macular edema (DME) incidence in fellow eyes of patients treated for DME in the study eye.

Methods:

This post hoc analysis of VISTA/VIVID data evaluated fellow eyes without DME at baseline through Week 100. Diabetic macular edema presence in the fellow eye was inferred by investigator-reported DME adverse events and use of DME treatments.

Results:

Over 100 weeks, 44.9%, 44.2%, and 42.9% of fellow eyes developed DME in the intravitreal aflibercept injection 2 mg every 4 weeks (n = 245), intravitreal aflibercept injection 2 mg every 8 weeks (n = 258), and laser control (n = 252) groups, respectively. Mean time to DME development in combined treatment groups was ∼6 months. Multivariable regression analysis confirmed patients with shorter diabetes duration (hazard ratio per 10-year decrease, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.30; P = 0.0160) and thicker baseline study eye central subfield thickness (hazard ratio per 10-µm increase, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.02; P = 0.0002) were at higher risk of developing DME in the fellow eye.

Conclusion:

Among patients with DME in one eye at baseline, almost half developed DME in the fellow eye over 2 years. Shorter duration of diabetes and thicker study eye central subfield thickness were predictors of DME development in the fellow eye.
Comparison of clinical severity, genotype and toxin gene expression of binary toxin-producing Clostridioides difficile clinical isolates in Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Asami , Yamagishi Yuka , Miyamoto Kentaro , Higashi Seiya , Oka Kentaro , Takahashi Motomichi , Mikamo Hiroshige
Published: October 2022

The emerging

Clostridioides difficile

strain BI/NAP1/027 has been reported to be associated with more severe clinical symptoms and higher mortality rates, thought in part due to production of a novel binary toxin alongside conventional A and B toxins. However, recent studies suggest that this may not always be the case. Therefore, the purpose of this report was to investigate the correlation between clinical severity and microbiological characteristics of CDT-producing

C. difficile

isolates in Japan. Eight Japanese isolates of CDT producing

C. difficile

were investigated using genotyping, cytotoxic activity assays and toxin gene expression. Correlation with clinical severity was performed retrospectively using the patient record. Three of eight patients were assessed as having severe

C. difficile

infection (CDI). PCR ribotyping resolved six ribotypes including ribotype 027. No specific genes were identified determining severe compared with non-severe cases. Positive correlation of expression levels of tcdA, tcdB and cdtB were observed although these expression levels were not correlated with cytotoxicity. CDI severity index neither correlated with toxin gene expression level nor cytotoxicity. These data indicate that the possession of the CDT gene and toxin gene expression levels may not relate to

C. difficile

cytotoxicity or clinical severity.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the case of Little Birds Kindergarten in Qatar: strategic challenges and the role of leadership
Authors: Issa Mauji Nasrina , Elbanna Said , Al Shamari Jawaher
Published: October 2022

Learning outcomes

The aim of this study is to make students understand the significance of strategy formulation and the impact of internal and external factors on the strategy adopted by the firm. Upon the completion of this case study, the students will be able to achieve the following: • map out relevant macro-environment strategical factors of an organization; • assessing organizations industry and competitive environment; • outline strategic group maps to assess positions of key competitors; • develop issues priority matrices; • testing competitive power of resources; and • identifying an organizations internal strengths and external threats.

Case overview/synopsis

Across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic left few organizations untouched and many entrepreneurs fighting to stay afloat. Here we look at the survival dilemma faced by the founder of Little Birds Kindergarten, in Doha, Qatar. Founded by a local Qatari businesswoman, the kindergarten offered a British-style curriculum and an Early Years Foundation Stage structure; with her profound passion for technology, the founder (here called Fatma) has always believed that integrating technology into a child’s early learning opens the door to limitless opportunities and potential. Therefore, she ensured that the kindergarten consistently invested in advanced educational technology and the accompanying software. Yet, while the reputation of Little Birds Kindergarten stayed high, the COVID-19 pandemic stunted the growth in enrolments. Fatma stopped paying herself a salary and even drew on her own savings to keep the kindergarten going but it still did not earn enough to compensate for her initial investment. So, despite her passionate concern for the kindergarten, she worried about being unable to keep it afloat for much longer. The purpose of this case study is to shed light on the strategic posture, performance and market position of one kindergarten. From there, it surveys the opportunities in the education industry that are unique to student enrolment and highlights what a kindergarten can do to develop a survival strategy.

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for teaching basic and advanced courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Doctoral research in education: a comparative study on Indian and international trends
Authors: Kundu Arnab , Kaibarta Mrityunjoy , Mukherjee Subhadip
Published: October 2022

Purpose

It is unfortunate yet true that in India, research starts and ends with a Ph.D. The steady decline in the quality of doctoral research has been an articulated concern among Indian academics at a time when research and innovation should be a priority. One of the feasible ways of resurrecting or reconstructing Indian research is to open up to examine contemporary international trends. Against this backdrop, the study aimed to make a comparative analysis of doctoral research in education in top-ranking international and top-ranking Indian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a comparative education methodology, this paper examines 100 doctoral dissertations from the top 10 international universities as per Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking and 100 doctoral theses from the top 10 Indian universities following National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) submitted in the past decade. Four significant issues were investigated during the comparison – topic, procedure, presentation, and dissemination – based on the premeditated Research Quality Relevance Metrics (RQRM) designed by the authors for quality improvement of research.

Findings

Findings revealed stark differences between two trends in all four domains. The top international universities focus on the contemporariness scattered across diverse issues while Indian studies continue to engage on a few archetypal conventional issues with dreary reiterations. The newness of thought is rare in Indian research, while the interdisciplinary mixing of methods and practices had been the hallmark of its international comportment. Practice orientation has been a unique research attribute found in the top 10 international universities. The methods applied have attempted to reduce the age-old gap between educational research and practice. Methodological innovativeness, structural orientation, readability, and dissemination of research were also exemplary in those international theses, whereas Indian theses are still reeling under orthodox surveys with hesitant reporting.

Research limitations/implications

This study put an exclusive mirror in front of Indian doctoral research on its current state in respect of international standards. At the same time, it upholds a framework to promote research quality and impact. Dimensions of research quality relevance matrices and recommendations for effective doctoral research are two vibrant contributions to the intelligentsia in general for bringing Indian research out of its cocoon to make it internationally comparable.

Originality/value

It reports a study conducted by the researchers and the write-up is based on the empirical findings only.
Do cultural controls, eco-learning and environmental strategy lead to high environmental innovation?
Authors: Rosa Fabricia , Lunkes Rogério J. , Bortoluzzi Daiane Antonini , Monteiro Januário José
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the effect of cultural controls and environmental strategy (ES) on environmental innovation (EI). Second, this study examines the role of eco-learning (ECOL) in ES.

Design/methodology/approach

This research sample was composed of 150 publicly traded Brazilian companies that participated in a survey. The hypotheses were analyzed through structural equation modeling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

The results showed that cultural controls have a negative effect on ES and a positive effect on EI. This study highlights the importance of ES and ECOL in mitigating the negative impact of cultural controls. The results suggest that organizations adopt a high degree of ECOL and ES to achieve high EI.

Originality/value

This study expands the understanding of the ambivalence of cultural controls and contributes to the literature by suggesting combining them with ES and ECOL to generate environmental benefits.
Financial accounting information presented with infographics: does it improve financial reporting understandability?
Authors: Cohen Sandra , Manes Rossi Francesca , Mamakou Xenia , Brusca Isabel
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Governmental financial reporting is prepared for accountability and decision-making purposes and is directed to a wide range of users, including citizens. However, this may sound easier than it actually is as citizens without specific accounting knowledge may find it difficult to understand the financial information prepared by governments. The study analyzes citizens' perceptions toward infographics as well as their ability to improve accounting understandability by nonaccounting experts compared to the traditional financial statements.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the results of an exploratory analysis conducted with the participation of a group of citizens in three European countries through a questionnaire.

Findings

The results show that infographics improve accounting understandability by nonaccounting experts compared to the traditional financial statements. However, infographics alone are not enough to succeed in making nonaccounting literate citizens experts in fully understanding accounting information.

Originality/value

The novelty of the research consists in its ability to give voice to citizens' preferences regarding the way the financial information is presented, which has been largely neglected by previous studies. In parallel, it analyzes the effect of accounting knowledge on accounting understandability. Moreover, it is the first study that analyzes the use of infographics in public sector financial reporting.
Toward a model for assessing smart hospital readiness within the Industry 4.0 paradigm
Authors: Ronaghi Mohammad Hossein
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The fourth industrial revolution and digital transformation have caused paradigm changes in the procedures of goods production and services through disruptive technologies, and they have formed new methods for business models. Health and medicine fields have been under the effect of these technology advancements. The concept of smart hospital is formed according to these technological transformations. The aim of this research, other than explanation of smart hospital components, is to present a model for evaluating a hospital readiness for becoming a smart hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is an applied one, and has been carried out in three phases and according to design science research. Based on the previous studies, in the first phase, the components and technologies effecting a smart hospital are recognized. In the second phase, the extracted components are prioritized using type-2 fuzzy analytic hierarchical process based on the opinion of experts; later, the readiness model is designed. In the third phase, the presented model would be tested in a hospital.

Findings

The research results showed that the technologies of internet of things, robotics, artificial intelligence, radio-frequency identification as well as augmented and virtual reality had the most prominence in a smart hospital.

Originality/value

The innovation and originality of the forthcoming research is to explain the concept of smart hospital, to rank its components and to provide a model for evaluating the readiness of smart hospital. Contribution of this research in terms of theory explains the concept of smart hospital and in terms of application presents a model for assessing the readiness of smart hospitals.
Change of productivity loss due to presenteeism among the ageing workforce: Role of work support, workplace discrimination, and the work‐nonwork interface
Authors: Yang Tianan , Liu Yexin , Chen Zhenjiao , Deng Jianwei
Published: October 2022

Presenteeism behaviour (working while one is ill or experiencing cognitive or emotional difficulties) and the consequent productivity loss are attracting growing attention. Without proper support, employees who are under stress or ill are prone to presenteeism, which incurs invisible burdens on organizations. In this study, we focussed on productivity loss due to presenteeism (PRE) among the ageing workforce, because this group may be more vulnerable to productivity loss due to age‐related deteriorating cognitive functions and physical abilities. We established a longitudinal latent difference score model over a two‐wave period so we could examine whether and how the work–nonwork interface mediates the effects of work support and workplace discrimination (DIS) on PRE. The results showed that the work–nonwork interface fully mediated the positive influence of DIS on PRE as well as the negative influence of supervisor support.
Dermatological presentations to a regional Victorian hospital emergency department: A 1‐year audit
Authors: Ronaldson Claire , Zhou Kelly , Lam Michael , Ong Dillon , Morgan Sian , Sathe Aditya , Isaacs Anton N.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological features of each presentation with a primary dermatological diagnosis to a regional emergency department (ED).

Design

1‐year retrospective audit.

Setting

Regional Victorian hospital emergency department.

Participants

Any presentation to this regional emergency department with a dermatological condition from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.

Main Outcome Measures

Dermatology presentations to the ED in 2020 and the prevalence of the associated primary diagnosis.

Results

In total, 4.7% (n = 1873) of ED presentations had a primary dermatological diagnosis. Of these, 1484 were ≥18 years of age and 389 were ≤17 years of age. Cellulitis (26.1%, n = 388) was the most common primary diagnosis among presentations ≥18 years. Non‐specific rash was the most common diagnosis (23.6%, n = 92) in presentations ≤17 years. Indigenous Australians ≥18 years were more likely to be in a younger age group (p < 0.01), and dermatitis/eczema presentations ≥18 years (n = 10) were the largest diagnostic group referred to a dermatologist. A total of 134 (7.1%) patients ≥18 years travelled more than 50 km to the ED. There were no dermatological emergencies identified.

Conclusions

A high proportion of presentations to this regional ED with a dermatological diagnosis could be well managed by a dermatologist or general practitioner (GP) as an outpatient. The findings of this study inform the need for future rural public dermatology services. Options include teledermatology, or a public weekly or fortnightly rapid review dermatology clinic with a visiting dermatologist, in the absence of a dermatologist onsite.
Radio‐isotope occult lesion localization (ROLL) techniques to identify the clipped node for targeted axillary dissection (TAD) in breast cancer
Authors: Winder Alec A. , Spillane Andrew J. , Sood Samriti , McKessar Merran , Cohn Deborah , Snook Kylie
Published: October 2022

Background

Breast cancer patients having neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) who have a positive (clipped) lymph node (CN) at presentation must have that CN removed to assess pathologic response at later surgery. Multiple techniques for localizing the CN have been described. We describe a novel ROLL‐based approach.

Methods

Consecutive patients between 2018 and 2021, having NAST with biopsy proven positive lymph node(s), had a clip placed into the most abnormal node(s). At later surgery sentinel node and occult lesion localization (SNOLL) was performed with peritumoral radio‐isotope (99mTc‐Nanoscan) injected under ultrasound guidance. Planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT–CT) images were used to identify sentinel nodes (SN) and the CN. If the CN was not a SN, then additional 99mTc‐Nanoscan was injected directly into the CN using ultrasound (ROLL). TAD was performed using a gamma probe and intra‐operative specimen radiographs to confirm excision of the CN.

Results

Thirty‐eight patients underwent TAD. 20/38 CNs were SNs on SPECT‐CT. 17/38 CN were localized separately. 1/38 CN was not a SN and could not be identified on ultrasound. The remaining 37/38 (97.4%) of the CNs were removed intra‐operatively. Pathological complete response in the axilla was identified in 18/38 cases. The CN was the only positive node in 10/20 cases. In 18/20 cases the CN contained the largest tumour deposit.

Conclusion

Combining SNOLL and ROLL techniques to identify the SNs and, if separate, the CN for TAD is very reliable and logistically robust, especially for units already performing peritumoral lymphoscintigraphy.
Comparative analysis of the variability of the human leukocyte antigen peptide‐binding pockets in patients with acute leukaemia
Authors: Boukouaci Wahid , Rivera‐Franco Monica M. , Volt Fernanda , Wu Ching‐Lien , Rafii Hanadi , Cappelli Barbara , Scigliuolo Graziana Maria , Kenzey Chantal , Ruggeri Annalisa , Rocha Vanderson , Gluckman Eliane , Tamouza Ryad
Published: October 2022

The association between acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) has rarely been studied in terms of diversity of peptide‐binding pockets. The objective of this study was to analyse whether motifs of HLA class I and class II peptide‐binding pockets and/or their amino acid positions were differentially associated with ALL and AML. We included 849 patients from the Eurocord/European Blood and Marrow Transplant registry. The HLA peptide‐binding pockets whose amino acid variability was analysed were B and F for HLA class I, P4, P6, and P9 for HLA‐DRB1, and P4 and P9 for HLA‐DQB1. The motif RFDRAY in P4 of HLA‐DRB1*16:01/02/03/05 alleles and the motif YYVSY in P9 of HLA‐DQB1*05:02/04/05 alleles, were statistically associated with ALL (corrected p value [pc] = 0.001 and pc = 0.035 respectively). The frequency of serine 57 in the P9 of HLA‐DQB1 was higher in ALL (odds ratio 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.27–3.44; pc = 0.037). Our analysis suggests that specific motifs in terms of HLA class II pockets and amino acids might be unique to ALL. The associations identified in this study encourage further investigation oF the role of HLA peptide‐binding pockets and their amino acids in immune processes underpinning acute leukaemia and ultimately in immunotherapy settings.
Mesentery AjFGF4–AjFGFR2–ERK pathway modulates intestinal regeneration via targeting cell cycle in echinoderms
Authors: Zeng Chuili , Guo Ming , Xiang Yangxi , Song Mingshan , Xiao Ke , Li Chenghua
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The purpose of the study aims to understand the regeneration process and its cytology mechanism in economic echinoderms.

Materials and Methods

The intestine regeneration process of Apostichopus japonicus was investigated by immunohistochemistry and the cell proliferation was detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Fibroblast growth factor 4 of A. japonicus (AjFGF4) was screened by RNA‐seq analysis and validated to regulate cell proliferation by siAjFGF4 and recombinant‐AjFGF4 treatment. The binding and co‐localization of AjFGF4 and AjFGFR2 were verified by Co‐IP, GST‐pull down, and immunofluorescence. Then, the AjFGF4‐AjFGFR2‐ERK‐cell cycle axis was examined by western blot, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry techniques.

Results

The mesentery was served as the epicenter of intestinal regeneration via activating cell proliferation and other cellular events. Mechanically, AjFGF4‐mediated cell proliferation was dependent on the binding to its receptor AjFGFR2, and then triggered the conserved ERK–MAPK pathway but not JNK and p38 pathway. The activated ERK–MAPK subsequently mediated the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins of CDK2, Cyclin A, and Cyclin B to promote cell proliferation.

Conclusions

We provide the first functional evidence that AjFGF4‐AjFGFR2‐ERK‐cell cycle axis mediated cell proliferation was the engine for mesentery‐derived intestine regeneration in echinoderms.
Faith and society on the border: reinterpreting the Roda d’Isàvena Passio Imaginis Domini in an Iberian context
Authors: Novokhatko Ekaterina
Published: October 2022

The late tenth/early eleventh century saw several Muslim attacks in Catalan lands, including one in 1006 that destroyed the episcopal see of Roda d’Isàvena in Ribagorça. It took the canons over two decades to restore the pillaged see and in 1030 the new cathedral was dedicated to St Vincent. The restoration also saw the compilation of a lectionary for the canonical library which contains the earliest, and previously unrecognized, Catalan testimony of the Beirut Legend – a narrative on the miracles of the icon of Christ (Passio Imaginis Domini) that led to the conversion and baptism of the Jews of Beirut. Exploring this new hagiographical testimony, this article seeks to contextualize the Roda narrative of the Beirut Legend in order to demonstrate a new interpretation of the original text in the multi‐religious and multi‐ethnic border society of the Iberian Peninsula.
Relationships between the shape of the hoof capsule and orientation of the distal phalanx in long toe underrun heels in donkeys
Authors: El‐Marakby Ahmed , Abdelgalil Ahmed , Mostafa Mohamed , Soliman Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Background

There is limited information on the morphology, radiography and orientation of the distal phalanx in the hoof capsule in long toe underrun heels in donkeys.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the relationships between the hoof capsule shape and distal phalanx radiographic parameters.

Study design

Post‐mortem collected feet.

Methods

A total of 68 cadaver front hooves with long toe underrun heels were used in the study. Lateral photographic and lateromedial radiographic parameters of the feet were obtained.

Results

The mean hoof wall angle (HWA) was strongly significantly correlated with heel angle (HA), dorsal HWA, HA measured through radiography and distal phalanx to toe distance and was modestly correlated with distal phalanx angle, solar border of the distal phalanx angle, coronet angle and distal phalanx to frog distance. The linear hoof wall length (HWL) and heel length showed a strong and modest significant correlation with distal phalanx to bottom, dorsal HWL and distal phalanx to toe distance.

Main limitations

The feet included in the study were obtained from many yards and different body sizes.

Conclusions

This study supports an association between radiographic and morphologic parameters in long toe underrun heels. The strong and modest correlations between measured photographic and radiographic parameters may indicate the relationships between the hoof capsule shape and distal phalanx orientation.
Influence of artificial seawater on the VHCF behavior of different steels
Authors: Wickmann Carsten , Sander Manuela
Published: October 2022

The fatigue properties of a high‐strength steel, a structural steel, and a duplex stainless steel in artificial seawater were investigated. Consequently, a test chamber for the existing ultrasonic test stand was implemented. The experiments were performed with smooth specimens at a loading with R = −1 up to 2 · 109 cycles. The specimens were fully submerged in artificial seawater. The fatigue data were statistically evaluated using the pearl string method and compared to different SN curves from the literature in air. The results show continuously decreasing SN curves under seawater conditions for all materials, with no detectable fatigue limit. Fracture surface investigations reveal large corrosion areas for the structural steel with, generally, no clear crack initiation location. The duplex stainless steel shows less corrosion pits but a high degree of scatter of the SN data. For the high‐strength steel, multiple crack initiation locations were observed from the surface.
The effect of a virtual child disease management programme on burden and social adjustment of caregivers of children with coagulation factor deficiencies
Authors: Rambod Masoume , Pasyar Nilofar , Irannejad Parizi Fatemeh , Edraki Mitra , Khair Kate , von Mackensen Sylvia
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The use of virtual interventions is of interest to patients with chronic disease and healthcare professionals. This study aimed to determine the effect of virtual child disease management programme on burden and social adjustment of caregivers of children with coagulation factor deficiencies. Moreover, the effect of this intervention on children's acute pain and bleeds was assessed.

Methods

This clinical trial was conducted on 80 caregivers of children with coagulation factor deficiencies. The subjects were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups. A comprehensive virtual child disease management programme was conducted for 8 weeks and caregiver’ burden and their social adjustment were assessed with the HEMOCAB and social adjustment subscale of Bell Adjustment Inventory, respectively. Data were analysed using ANCOVA and Wilcoxon test.

Results

Before the intervention, both groups were similar regarding the caregivers’ burden and social adjustment and children's acute pain and bleeds. However, a significant difference was observed between groups in concern to caregivers’ burden (P < .001), women's and men's social adjustment (P = .001, P = .03), and children's acute pain and bleeds (P < .001) after the virtual disease management programme.

Conclusion

This study showed that using a virtual child disease management programme reduced burden and improved social adjustment of caregivers of children with coagulation factor deficiencies. This intervention decreased frequencies of acute pain and bleeds in children. Therefore, using this effective intervention in clinical practice is warranted to decrease the caregivers’ burden as well as acute pain and bleeds in children.
180‐degree immersive VR motion visualization in the treatment of haemophilic ankle arthropathy
Authors: Ucero‐Lozano Roberto , Pérez‐Llanes Raúl , López‐Pina José Antonio , Cuesta‐Barriuso Rubén
Published: October 2022

Background

Patients with haemophilic arthropathy suffer chronic pain that affects and restricts their quality of life. Visualization of movement through immersive virtual reality is used for pain management.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of 180‐degree immersive VR motion visualization therapy in patients with haemophilic ankle arthropathy.

Methods

Prospective, multicentre pilot study. Fifteen adult patients with bilateral haemophilic ankle arthropathy were recruited (mean age: 42.73 ± 12.36 years). The intervention lasted 4 weeks, with daily home sessions of 180‐degree immersive motion visualization. The patients were given virtual reality glasses to use with their smartphones. From the YouTube mobile app® they accessed the recorded video with access from the He‐Mirror App®. The study variables were joint state (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), pressure pain threshold (pressure algometer), muscle strength (dynamometry) and range of motion (goniometry). Three evaluations were performed: at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and at the end of a 16‐week follow‐up period (T2).

Results

No patient developed ankle hemarthrosis during the experimental phase. In the repeated measures analysis we found statistically significant differences in joint state (F = 51.38; η2p = .63), pressure pain threshold of the lateral malleolus (F = 12.34; η2p = .29) and range of motion (F = 11.7; η2p = .28).

Conclusions

Therapy using immersive motion visualization does not cause hemarthrosis. This intervention can improve joint condition, pressure pain threshold and range of motion in patients with ankle arthropathy. Changes greater than the MDC were reported in more than 40% of patients for the variables pressure pain threshold, anterior tibialis strength and range of motion, which were considered clinically relevant.
Inhibition of acrylamide and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural formation in French fries by additives in model reaction
Authors: Verma Vandana , Yadav Neelam
Published: October 2022

Acrylamide (AA) and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) are Maillard reaction products that are formed during frying; they are toxic and are considered a potential health risk due to their high consumption levels in western diets. The purpose of this study was to evaluate various strategies for the formation of AA and HMF in French fries. HMF was quantified with a UV‐spectrophotometer and AA was determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with the help of diode array detection (DAD) detector. Principal component analysis was used to visualize the effects of the various additive treatments, and these data were also used to evaluate the best‐fitting regression models between AA and HMF with reducing sugar, asparagine, and color value (a*), and browning index. The resulting models showed a highly significant correlation (r > 0.90, p < 0.001). Organic acids and salts and pectin all significantly reduced the final AA content due to the change in pH. Additionally, amino acids decreased AA while maintaining the pH at its original value. With a combination of citric acid and l‐lysine, a synergistic AA‐lowering effect was observed.

Practical application

This research will benefit the Indian food industry by demonstrating how an additive can be used as a pretreatment to compress the AA and HMF content of foods. This frequently raises the customer's awareness of consumable goods and the importance of determining the maximum amount that can be consumed daily to protect themselves from contaminants such as HMF and AA.
Longitudinal patterns and predictors of self‐care behavior trajectories among Korean patients with heart failure: A 6‐month prospective study
Authors: Kim Da‐Young , Son Youn‐Jung
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to identify distinct trajectories of self‐care behaviors over 6 months after hospital discharge in patients with heart failure, including the baseline predictors affecting these trajectories.

Design

This was a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study with a 6‐month follow‐up.

Methods

A total of 158 patients with heart failure (mean age = 66.75 years, 62.7% men) were included in this study. Patients' characteristics, including cognitive function, health literacy, and social support were collected as possible baseline predictors of self‐care behavior trajectories using a structured questionnaire and an electronic medical record review. Self‐care behaviors were evaluated using the Korean version of the nine‐item European Heart Failure Self‐care Behavior Scale at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after hospital discharge. Latent growth model analysis was conducted to identify the homogeneous subgroups with distinct trajectories of self‐care behaviors. Subsequently, multinomial logistic regression was used to assess whether baseline predictors were associated with these trajectories in patients with heart failure.

Results

Three distinct self‐care behavior trajectory groups were identified: “low‐decreased” (n = 33, 20.9%), “middle‐increased” (n = 93, 58.9%), and “high‐sustained” (n = 32, 20.2%). The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that baseline adequate health literacy and positive social support significantly predicted patients' belonging to both the middle‐increased and high‐sustained self‐care behavior trajectory groups compared to the low‐decreased group. Importantly, better cognitive function at baseline was only significantly associated with the high‐sustained self‐care behavior trajectory compared to the low‐decreased trajectory.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that only one‐fifth of the patients belonged to the high‐sustained self‐care behavior group 6 months after hospital discharge. Strategies aimed at improving cognitive function, health literacy, and social support should be developed to sustain satisfactory self‐care behaviors in patients with heart failure. Further studies with long‐term follow‐ups are required to identify other possible factors, as well as the baseline predictors of this study affecting longitudinal trajectories of self‐care behaviors.

Clinical relevance

Healthcare providers should recognize and evaluate the distinct patterns of self‐care behaviors over time in patients with heart failure. Importantly, assessing baseline cognitive function, health literacy, and social support before hospital discharge may be necessary to prevent a decline in self‐care behaviors over time.