bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CMV antiviral stewardship: navigating obstacles to facilitate target attainment
Authors: Jorgenson Margaret R. , Descourouez Jillian L. , Schulz Lucas T. , Saddler Christopher M. , Smith Jeannina A.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Despite the availability of potent antivirals, consensus guidelines and decades of research, cytomegalovirus (CMV) continues to be associated with negative outcomes after solid organ transplant. This has been attributed to postprophylaxis CMV infection and a lack of development of CMV-specific cell mediated immunity (CMI). A shift from a focus on antiviral prevention to a focus on CMI target attainment is needed to improve CMV outcomes after transplantation.

Recent findings

There are many obstacles to CMI target attainment. Antiviral stewardship programs (AVS) have been employed to improve patient outcomes through appropriate antiviral use, reduction of unnecessary exposure and resistance mitigation. By focusing on the patient's unique substrate of conglomerate risk factors and addressing these factors specifically with evidenced based methodology, the AVS can address these obstacles, increasing rates of CMI and subsequently reducing risk of future CMV infection and negative outcomes.

With its multidisciplinary composition utilizing decades of experience from antimicrobial stewardship principles and practices, the AVS is uniquely poised to facilitate the shift from a focus on prevention to CMI target attainment and be the supporting pillar for the frontline transplant clinician caring for transplant patients with CMV.
How to maximize graft survival
Authors: Lim Mary Ann , Bloom Roy D.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Kidney transplant failure results in significant patient morbidity and mortality, increased financial burden and exacerbates the organ shortage faced by kidney transplant candidates. The different strategies to maximize graft survival in kidney transplant recipients is presented in this review.

Recent findings

Maximizing kidney graft survival requires optimizing immunosuppression, preventing and managing recurrent disease and using general chronic kidney disease strategies to slow allograft injury. Herein, we review: 1) strategies to tailor immunosuppression to the individual patient to avoid over and underimmunosuppression, and avoid immunosuppression-related drug toxicities, 2) latest findings in the following recurrent diseases: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, complement-mediated kidney disease and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance, and, 3) approaches to slow allograft injury including BP control, and the use of antiproteinuric agents and SGLT-2 inhibitors.

The last two decades has seen significant improvement in allograft outcomes resulting from advances in immunosuppression. With the federal government's renewed focus on kidney disease and transplantation, and recent advances in biomarkers, genetic testing, big data analytics and machine learning, we hope to see further outcome improvements in the next decade.
Sensitivity of Antemortem Imaging for Pericarditis
Authors: Kostelecky Nicolas , Kreutz Kasey , Lin Chieh-Yu
Published: December 2022

Pericarditis is a challenging diagnosis with nonspecific manifestations, significant clinical implications, and possible mortality. The advancement of imaging, such as echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has improved the sensitivity of diagnosis, although limitations remain. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of pericarditis identified at autopsy and correlated these findings with antemortem imaging studies and clinical information. Thirty-four decedents were identified in our archival autopsy records (prevalence, 1.23%) from 2010 to 2021 with a postmortem diagnosis of pericarditis. Thirty-five antemortem imaging studies were performed on 32 decedents, of which CT was the most common (18/35, 51.4%). The sensitivity of antemortem imaging was poor, with CT showing the highest sensitivity at 16.7% (3/18), while echocardiography studies, transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE), each had a sensitivity of 0.0%. Pericarditis was determined as the immediate cause of death by autopsy in 13 decedents, of which 3 were diagnosed antemortem. It was considered contributory to the death in 6 decedents, none of which were diagnosed antemortem. In summary, antemortem imaging has limited utility in the diagnosis of pericarditis. It is imperative to examine the pericardium during autopsy to identify a possible cause of death or contributing factor.
Guidelines for Triage of COVID-19 Patients Presenting With Multisystemic Symptoms
Authors: Alemi Farrokh , Guralnik Elina , Vang Jee , Wojtusiak Janusz , Peterson Rachele , Roess Amira , Jain Praduman
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives:

This article describes how multisystemic symptoms, both respiratory and nonrespiratory, can be used to differentiate coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) from other diseases at the point of patient triage in the community. The article also shows how combinations of symptoms could be used to predict the probability of a patient having COVID-19.

Methods:

We first used a scoping literature review to identify symptoms of COVID-19 reported during the first year of the global pandemic. We then surveyed individuals with reported symptoms and recent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results to assess the accuracy of diagnosing COVID-19 from reported symptoms. The scoping literature review, which included 81 scientific articles published by February 2021, identified 7 respiratory, 9 neurological, 4 gastrointestinal, 4 inflammatory, and 5 general symptoms associated with COVID-19 diagnosis. The likelihood ratio associated with each symptom was estimated from sensitivity and specificity of symptoms reported in the literature. A total of 483 individuals were then surveyed to validate the accuracy of predicting COVID-19 diagnosis based on patient symptoms using the likelihood ratios calculated from the literature review. Survey results were weighted to reflect age, gender, and race of the US population. The accuracy of predicting COVID-19 diagnosis from patient-reported symptoms was assessed using area under the receiver operating curve (AROC).

Results:

In the community, cough, sore throat, runny nose, dyspnea, and hypoxia, by themselves, were not good predictors of COVID-19 diagnosis. A combination of cough and fever was also a poor predictor of COVID-19 diagnosis (AROC = 0.56). The accuracy of diagnosing COVID-19 based on symptoms was highest when individuals presented with symptoms from different body systems (AROC of 0.74-0.81); the lowest accuracy was when individuals presented with only respiratory symptoms (AROC = 0.48).

Conclusions:

There are no simple rules that clinicians can use to diagnose COVID-19 in the community when diagnostic tests are unavailable or untimely. However, triage of patients to appropriate care and treatment can be improved by reviewing the combinations of certain types of symptoms across body systems.
Figure-ground segmentation based on motion in the archerfish
Authors: Volotsky Svetlana , Segev Ronen
Published: December 2022

Object detection and recognition is a complex computational task that is thought to rely critically on the ability to segment an object from the background. Mammals exhibit varying figure-ground segmentation capabilities, ranging from primates that can perform well on figure-ground segmentation tasks to rodents that perform poorly. To explore figure-ground segmentation capabilities in teleost fish, we studied how the archerfish, an expert visual hunter, performs figure-ground segmentation. We trained archerfish to discriminate foreground objects from the background, where the figures were defined by motion as well as by discontinuities in intensity and texture. Specifically, the figures were defined by grating, naturalistic texture, and random noise moving in counterphase with the background. The archerfish performed the task well and could distinguish between all three types of figures and grounds. Their performance was comparable to that of primates and outperformed rodents. These findings suggest the existence of a complex visual process in the archerfish visual system that enables the delineation of figures as distinct from backgrounds, and provide insights into object recognition in this animal.
Crystal structure of theArabidopsisSPIRAL2 C-terminal domain reveals a p80-Katanin-like domain
Authors: Bolhuis Derek L. , Dixit Ram , Slep Kevin C.
Published: December 2022

Epidermal cells of dark-grown plant seedlings reorient their cortical microtubule arrays in response to blue light from a net lateral orientation to a net longitudinal orientation with respect to the long axis of cells. The molecular mechanism underlying this microtubule array reorientation involves katanin, a microtubule severing enzyme, and a plant-specific microtubule associated protein called SPIRAL2. Katanin preferentially severs longitudinal microtubules, generating seeds that amplify the longitudinal array. Upon severing, SPIRAL2 binds nascent microtubule minus ends and limits their dynamics, thereby stabilizing the longitudinal array while the lateral array undergoes net depolymerization. To date, no experimental structural information is available for SPIRAL2 to help inform its mechanism. To gain insight into SPIRAL2 structure and function, we determined a 1.8 Å resolution crystal structure of theArabidopsis thalianaSPIRAL2 C-terminal domain. The domain is composed of seven core α-helices, arranged in an α-solenoid. Amino-acid sequence conservation maps primarily to one face of the domain involving helices α1, α3, α5, and an extended loop, the α6-α7 loop. The domain fold is similar to, yet structurally distinct from the C-terminal domain of Ge-1 (an mRNA decapping complex factor involved in P-body localization) and, surprisingly, the C-terminal domain of the katanin p80 regulatory subunit. The katanin p80 C-terminal domain heterodimerizes with the MIT domain of the katanin p60 catalytic subunit, and in metazoans, binds the microtubule minus-end factors CAMSAP3 and ASPM. Structural analysis predicts that SPIRAL2 does not engage katanin p60 in a mode homologous to katanin p80. The SPIRAL2 structure highlights an interesting evolutionary convergence of domain architecture and microtubule minus-end localization between SPIRAL2 and katanin complexes, and establishes a foundation upon which structure-function analysis can be conducted to elucidate the role of this domain in the regulation of plant microtubule arrays.
Mechanical coupling with the nuclear envelope shapes theS. pombemitotic spindle
Authors: Begley Marcus A , Pagán Medina Christian , Couture Taylor , Zareiesfandabadi Parsa , Rapp Matthew B , Tirfe Mastawal , LeBlanc Sharonda , Betterton Meredith D. , Elting Mary Williard
Published: December 2022

The fission yeastS. pombedivides via closed mitosis, meaning that spindle elongation and chromosome segregation transpire entirely within the complete nuclear envelope. Both the spindle and nuclear envelope must undergo significant conformation changes and exert varying forces on each other during this process. Previous work has demonstrated that nuclear envelope expansion1,2and spindle pole body (SPB) embedding in the nuclear envelope3are required for normalS. pombemitosis, and mechanical modeling has described potential contributions of the spindle to nuclear morphology4,5. However, it is not yet fully clear how and to what extent the nuclear envelope and mitotic spindle each directly shape each other during closed mitosis. Here, we investigate this relationship by observing the behaviors of spindles and nuclei in live mitotic fission yeast following laser ablation. First, we characterize these dynamics in molecularly typicalS. pombespindles, finding them to be stabilized by dense crosslinking, before demonstrating that the compressive force acting on the spindle poles is higher in mitotic cells with greater nuclear envelope tension and that spindle compression can be relieved by lessening nuclear envelope tension via laser ablation. Finally, we use a quantitative model to interpret how these data directly demonstrate that fission yeast spindles and nuclear envelopes are a mechanical pair that can each shape the other’s morphology.
Glucocorticoid and adrenergic receptor distribution across human organs and tissues: a map for stress transduction
Authors: Basarrate Sophia , Monzel Anna S. , Smith Janell , Marsland Anna , Trumpff Caroline , Picard Martin
Published: December 2022

Objective

Psychosocial stress is transduced into disease risk through energy-dependent release of hormones that affect target organs, tissues, and cells. The magnitude of the physiological stress responses reflects both systemic levels of these hormones and the sensitivity of target tissues to their effects. Thus, differential expression of receptors across organs likely contributes to stress transduction. Here we provide a quantitative whole-body map of glucocorticoid and adrenergic receptor expression.

Methods

We systematically examined gene expression levels for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), α- and β-adrenergic receptors (AR-α1B, AR-α2B AR-β2, and AR-β3), across 55 different organs using the Human Protein Atlas dataset. We also leveraged the Human Proteome Map and MitoCarta3.0 data to examine receptor protein levels and, given the energy-dependence of the stress response, the link between stress hormone receptor density and mitochondrial pathways. Finally, we tested the functional interplay between GR activation and AR expression in living human cells.

Results

The GR was expressed ubiquitously across all investigated organ systems. Immune tissues and cells expressed the highest GR RNA and protein levels. In contrast, AR subtypes showed lower and more localized expression patterns. Co-regulation was found between GR and AR-α1B, as well as between AR-α1B and AR-α2B. In human fibroblasts, activating the GR selectively increased AR-β2 (3.6-fold) and AR-α1B (2.2-fold) expression, confirming their interaction. Consistent with the energetic cost of stress responses, GR and AR expression were positively associated with the expression of key mitochondrial pathways.

Conclusion

Our results provide a cartography of GR and AR expression across the human body. Tissue-specific stress hormone receptor expression patterns could make specific organ systems more responsive to the sustained, energetically expensive, neuroendocrine signaling pathways triggered by chronic psychosocial stress.
PACESS: Practical AI-based Cell Extraction and Spatial Statistics for large 3D bone marrow tissue images
Authors: Adams George , Tissot Floriane S. , Liu Chang , Brunsdon Chris , Duffy Ken R. , Lo Celso Cristina
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY

Despite much being known about the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis, little is understood about how hematopoietic cells are organized within bone marrow (BM) tissue. Recent advances in microscopy have led to the creation of increasingly detailed images of murine hematopoietic tissue. Accurate, efficient, and informative methodologies to extract and analyze the large amount of data generated are, however, still lacking. Indeed, cells are very densely packed in the bone marrow and therefore difficult to efficiently and accurately segment. In addition, currently employed statical analyses of cellular localization are generally unsuitable for the investigation of interactions between more than two cell types. To overcome these limitations, we developed PACESS, a readily applicable method based on neural network classification of hundreds of thousands of cells in thick 3D bone marrow samples, and a combination of statistical techniques to assess the spatial interactions between multiple cell types. To validate this approach, we used it to investigate the spatial organization of T cells, megakaryocytes and leukemic cells. We demonstrate that the presence of large clusters of leukemic cells affects the distribution of both T cells and megakaryocytes, albeit differently, resulting in the generation of previously unrecognized, unique microenvironments adjacent to each other within the same bone marrow cavity. We believe that this approach can contribute to unravel the BM cellular organization.

MOTIVATION

The organization of diverse hematopoietic cells within bone marrow tissue remains unclear. Recently developed tissue clearing methods enable the generation of large, 3D, single cell resolution microscopy images datasets, but the bottleneck in their analysis lies in both the identification and classification of cells, and in statistical analyses to probe their spatial relationships. We present a workflow (PACESS) that takes advantage of a convoluted neural network to identify and classify cells in 2D coupled with an automated method that extrapolates to 3D, followed by a combination of spatial statistics to classify tissue regions based on each cell type’s density, and logistic regression to test whether the relative abundance of cell types may be explained by reciprocal dependencies. Finally, we provide a combined measurement of the abundance of all cell types in a 3D map, highlighting regional variations found within the tissue.

Graphical Abstract
A robust deep learning platform to predict CD8+ T-cell epitopes
Authors: Lee Chloe H. , Huh Jaesung , Buckley Paul R. , Jang Myeongjun , Pereira Pinho Mariana , Fernandes Ricardo A. , Antanaviciute Agne , Simmons Alison , Koohy Hashem
Published: December 2022

T-cells play a crucial role in the adaptive immune system by inducing an anti-tumour response, defending against pathogens, and maintaining tolerance against self-antigens, which has sparked interest in the development of T-cell-based vaccines and immunotherapies. Because screening antigens driving the T-cell response is currently low-throughput and laborious, computational methods for predicting CD8+ T-cell epitopes have emerged. However, most immunogenicity algorithms struggle to learn features of peptide immunogenicity from small datasets, suffer from HLA bias and are unable to reliably predict pathology-specific CD8+ T-cell epitopes. Therefore, we developed TRAP (T-cell recognition potential of HLA-I presented peptides), a robust deep learning platform for predicting CD8+ T-cell epitopes from MHC-I presented pathogenic and self-peptides. TRAP uses transfer learning, deep learning architecture and MHC binding information to make context-specific predictions of CD8+ T-cell epitopes. TRAP also detects low-confidence predictions for peptides that differ significantly from those in the training datasets to abstain from making incorrect predictions. To estimate the immunogenicity of pathogenic peptides with low-confidence predictions, we further developed a novel metric, RSAT (relative similarity to autoantigens and tumour-associated antigens), as a complementary to ‘dissimilarity to self’ from cancer studies. We used TRAP to identify epitopes from glioblastoma patients as well as SARS-CoV-2 peptides, and it outperformed other algorithms in both cancer and pathogenic settings. Thus, this study presents a novel computational platform for accurately predicting CD8+ T-cell epitopes to foster a better understanding of antigen-specific T-cell response and the development of effective clinical therapeutics.

Highlights

HLA bias and out-of-distribution problem are causes of poor performance of current state-of-the-art algorithms

Transfer learning, deep learning architecture, context-specific and HLA-generalised approaches improve CD8+ T-cell epitope prediction

TRAP reports degree of correctness to improve reliability of the prediction

A novel metric termed RSAT estimates immunogenicity of pathogenic peptides, as a complementary to ‘dissimilarity to self’ from cancer studies
Immunogenicity of COVID-eVax Is Moderately Impacted by Temperature and Molecular Isoforms
Authors: D’Alessio Federico , Lione Lucia , Salvatori Erika , Bucci Federica , Muzi Alessia , Roscilli Giuseppe , Conforti Antonella , Compagnone Mirco , Pinto Eleonora , Battistuzzi Gianfranco , Aurisicchio Luigi , Palombo Fabio
Published: December 2022

DNA integrity is a key issue in gene therapy and genetic vaccine approaches based on plasmid DNA. In contrast to messenger RNA that requires a controlled cold chain for efficacy, DNA molecules are considered to be more stable. In this study, we challenged this concept by characterizing the immunological response induced by a plasmid DNA vaccine delivered using electroporation. As a model, we used COVID-eVax, which is a plasmid DNA vaccine that targets the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Increased nicked DNA was produced by using either an accelerated stability protocol or a lyophilization protocol. Surprisingly, the immune response induced in vivo was only minimally affected by the percentage of open circular DNA. This result suggests that plasmid DNA vaccines, such as COVID-eVax that has completed a phase I clinical trial, retain their efficacy upon storage at higher temperatures and this feature may facilitate their use in low-/middle-income countries.
Optimization of energy production and central carbon metabolism in a non-respiring eukaryote
Authors: Alam Sara , Gu Ying , Reichert Polina , Bähler Jürg , Oliferenko Snezhana
Published: December 2022

Most eukaryotes respire oxygen, using it to generate biomass and energy. Yet, a few organisms lost the capacity to respire. Understanding how they manage biomass and energy production may illuminate the critical points at which respiration feeds into central carbon metabolism and explain possible routes to its optimization. Here we use two related fission yeasts,Schizosaccharomyces pombeandSchizosaccharomyces japonicus, as a comparative model system. We show that althoughS. japonicusdoes not respire oxygen, unlikeS. pombe, it is capable of efficient NADH oxidation, amino acid synthesis and ATP generation. We probe possible optimization strategies using stable isotope tracing metabolomics, mass isotopologue distribution analysis, genetics, and physiological experiments.S. japonicusappears to have optimized cytosolic NADH oxidation via glycerol-3-phosphate synthesis. It runs a fully bifurcated TCA ‘cycle’, supporting higher amino acid production. Finally, it uses the pentose phosphate pathway both to support faster biomass generation and as a shunt to optimize glycolytic flux, thus producing more ATP than the respiro-fermentingS. pombe. By comparing two related organisms with vastly different metabolic strategies, our work highlights the versatility and plasticity of central carbon metabolism in eukaryotes, illuminating critical adaptations supporting the preferential use of glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation.
Performance of conical hydrodynamic journal bearing under the worn-out condition
Authors: Kamble Dinesh Haribhau , Phalle Vikas M. , Mantha Shankar S. , Pawar Sanjay Rangrao
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Where combined radial and axial loads act on the bearing, the conical journal bearing is best suited. Large turbines, generators, compressors and other machinery perform better while using conical hydrodynamic journal bearings (CHJBs). The bearings worn out and the performance suffered because of regular use and numerous start and stop operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance of CHJB is evaluated using both analytical and experimental methods in this paper. The analytical method for resolving Reynolds equation uses spherical coordinate system and finite element analysis. On the CHJB test rig, data is collected for different radial loads with 10°, 20° and 30° semi-cone angles using hydraulic oil of viscosity grade ISO VG46.

Findings

The findings of this paper demonstrate that at various semi-cone angles for worn-out bearings, the maximum pressure developed increases with increasing radial load.

Originality/value

This paper provides analytical and experimental performance of CHJBs considering the effect of abrasive wear that is caused because of frequent start and stop operations of machine. The results of wear impact on CHJBs will be helpful for researchers and design engineers.
Supply chain coordination in sustainable agribusiness development: an investigation from coffee exporters
Authors: Nguyen Hoang , Mai Thanh Lan , Pham Thi Thu Thuy , Binh Do
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study intends to investigate drivers and consequences of supply chain coordination (SCC) towards green to highlight some convincing evidence for an emerging country's exporters to promote sustainable coffee development.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from surveying 189 managers of coffee exporters in Vietnam and then applied PLS-SEM for analysis.

Findings

This study demonstrates that top management sensitivity, along with institutional forces of regulation, market and competition, strongly stimulate exporters' supply chain coordination towards green. Additionally, that coordination boosts the export financial and market performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may not be generalizable because the current study only included data from Vietnamese coffee exporters.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current literature by looking from the perspective of coffee exporters – leading players in supply chains for export. The research findings represent the first solid argument for Vietnam coffee exporters to encourage SCC towards green and reveal several implications for managers and policymakers to support sustainable development in an emerging country.
Exploring the relationship between psychopathy and criminal thinking: utilising the Tri-PM within a forensic sample
Authors: DeBlasio Shannon , Mojtahedi Dara
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (Tri-PM) was developed in 2010 as an alternative approach to the assessment of psychopathy. The measure aims to capture psychopathic traits on a 3-factor model, which encompass the characteristics established in previous measures, as well as those evidenced within practise. Though support for the tool in academic research is growing, less is known about the scale’s utility within crime forensic settings. Thus, this study aims to explore the relationship between the Tri-PM psychopathy constructs and criminal cognition within a forensic sample.

Design/methodology/approach

Seventy-three adult male offenders, convicted for acquisitive or sexual crimes, from a Category B prison within the Northwest of England completed questionnaires measuring their criminal backgrounds, psychopathy traits (Tri-PM; Patrick, 2010) and criminal thinking styles (Psychology Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles; Walters, 2001).

Findings

The Tri-PM measurement proved to be a successful predictor of most criminal thinking styles. Moreover, the meanness construct was the strongest predictor of proactive thinking styles, whereas the disinhibition construct was the strongest predictor of reactive thinking styles, and the boldness construct was negatively associated with reactive thinking. Comparisons among offender groups also indicated that acquisitive offenders reported higher scores of psychopathy and criminal thinking.

Originality/value

This study offers valuable insight into the proposed relationship between psychopathy and criminal thinking, using a recent addition to the repertoire of psychopathy measurements, the Tri-PM. This study also offers practical implications for those offering treatment within forensic settings, with significant relationships identified between the highly scoring psychopathy constructs and various criminal thinking styles.
United we stand: the entrepreneurs network and its role in overcoming crisis situations
Authors: Mohapatra Subhalaxmi , Roy Risha
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to understand the role of the network of a woman entrepreneur in helping the business during a crisis with a focus on the stakeholders, namely, the suppliers and the customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study method is used to address the research objectives and a case of a woman entrepreneur based in India is selected for the same purpose. An interpretive approach is used to understand the underlying phenomenon.

Findings

The analysis of the case illustrates how the three major aspects of the network, i.e. content, governance and structure, manifest from the supplier and the customers’ side and how do the same change during a crisis and may help the entrepreneur to overcome the crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The present study contributes to the theory of “network success hypotheses of entrepreneurship theory” by offering a manifestation of the same during a crisis faced by the entire network of the entrepreneur.

Practical implications

The findings provide insights on how an entrepreneur can use innovative ways of rethinking of the strategies during a crisis without compromising on the basic philosophy of the company.

Originality/value

The present study is one of a kind to identify the interplay between the entrepreneurial networks both from the customer and supplier sides of the firm during a crisis.
Consolidated financial statement information and group reporting in the central government: a user-oriented approach
Authors: Oulasvirta Lasse Olavi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to fill the research gap regarding the usability of group reporting information in the central government. It answers the question of how the consolidated information should be formed to benefit the real needs of governmental information users.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research is based on a survey and interviews among key internal preparers and users in the central government sector in the case country, Finland.

Findings

Results show that the private sector approach regarding consolidation is not appropriately transferable to the central government sector. The key stakeholders identified several economic and financial reporting needs that exceed what formal Consolidated Financial Statement (CFS) can offer. Consolidation is needed but not according to the extensive full control approach, but rather following the budgetary approach consolidating units of the legal person of the government, and further using the partial control approach for consolidating by discretion essential special purpose SOEs.

Research limitations/implications

Respondents and interviewees represented governmental internal organisations, free experts, auditors and financial managers from the group entities. Politicians and citizens were not directly represented.

Practical implications

Research gives applicable insights into central governments planning and developing group reporting for information needs in a favourable cost-benefit ratio. Findings benefit the development of EU's EPSAS (European Public Sector Accounting Standards) project which is still incomplete.

Social implications

Research recommends governments to make a thorough analysis before deciding on a new financial reporting system. A critical analysis prevents governments to waste money and resources on a reporting system not fulfilling the real needs of information users.

Originality/value

The value of this research is that the private sector approach in consolidation was not taken as granted. This study investigated critically and empirically the real need for consolidated information serving steering and overseeing purposes of the government's group entities.
Convective-radiative moving porous fin with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient and wavelength-dependent surface emissivity
Authors: Kaur Parvinder , Singh Surjan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

In this paper, temperature distribution and fin efficiency in a moving porous fin have been discussed. The heat transfer equation is formulated by using Darcy's model. Heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity vary with temperature. The surface emissivity of the fin varies with temperature as well as with wavelength. Thermal conductivity is taken as a linear and quadratic form of temperature. The entire analysis of the paper is presented in non-dimensional form.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a new mathematical model is investigated. The novelty of this model is surface emissivity which is considered temperature and wavelength dependent. Another interesting point is the addition of porous material. The Legendre wavelet collocation method has been used to solve the nonlinear heat transfer equation. Numerical simulations are carried out in MATLAB software.

Findings

An attempt has been made to discuss temperature distribution in the presence of porosity and wavelength-temperature-dependent surface emissivity. The effect of various parameters on temperature has been discussed, including thermal conductivity, emissivity, convection-radiation, Peclet number, sink temperature, exponent “n” and porosity. Fin efficiency is also calculated for some parameters. According to the study, heat transfer rate increases with higher radiation-convection, emissivity, wavelength and porosity parameters.

Originality/value

The numerical results are carried out by using the Legendre wavelet collocation method, which has been compared with exact results in a particular case and found to be in good agreement. The percent error is calculated to find the error between the current method and the exact result. A comparison of the obtained results with the previous data is presented to validate the numerical results.
Machine learning applications to predict the axial compression capacity of concrete filled steel tubular columns: a systematic review
Authors: Narang Aishwarya , Kumar Ravi , Dhiman Amit
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study seeks to understand the connection of methodology by finding relevant papers and their full review using the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA).

Design/methodology/approach

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns have gained popularity in construction in recent decades as they offer the benefit of constituent materials and cost-effectiveness. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Gene Expression Programming (GEP) and Decision Trees (DTs) are some of the approaches that have been widely used in recent decades in structural engineering to construct predictive models, resulting in effective and accurate decision making. Despite the fact that there are numerous research studies on the various parameters that influence the axial compression capacity (ACC) of CFST columns, there is no systematic review of these Machine Learning methods.

Findings

The implications of a variety of structural characteristics on machine learning performance parameters are addressed and reviewed. The comparison analysis of current design codes and machine learning tools to predict the performance of CFST columns is summarized. The discussion results indicate that machine learning tools better understand complex datasets and intricate testing designs.

Originality/value

This study examines machine learning techniques for forecasting the axial bearing capacity of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns. This paper also highlights the drawbacks of utilizing existing techniques to build CFST columns, and the benefits of Machine Learning approaches over them. This article attempts to introduce beginners and experienced professionals to various research trajectories.
Statistical insights on the effect of twill angle on denim fabrics Skewness
Authors: Abd El-Hamied EL-Tantawi Ahmed Ramadan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to show that the manner of fabric deformation during relaxation depends upon the twill angle line and its direction (twill S or Z). The quantity of the skewness is related to the float length and the twill angle in reverse, with the warp tension when changed from cotton to lycra filling yarns.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental analytical method.

Findings

The most significant goals presented from this investigation are cost savings, time of production and metaphorically; new demands on denim fabric patterns presented.

Originality/value

Moving away from just chasing cheap, more innovative and progressive for manufacturing and end users search for denim, this paper served to shift the market share map for denim manufacturers, which is looks on nearly the most common problem facing the denim industry; skewness.
Erythropoietic protoporphyria in the Netherlands: Clinical features, psychosocial impact and the effect of afamelanotide
Authors: Wensink Debby , Wagenmakers Margreet A. E. M. , Wilson J. H. Paul , Langendonk Janneke G.
Published: December 2022

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) patients experience severe burning pain after light exposure, which results in a markedly reduced quality of life. However, there is limited information on the psychosocial aspects of EPP. To investigate the clinical features and social aspects of living with EPP, before and during afamelanotide treatment in the Netherlands. A single‐center prospective longitudinal study of adult patients with EPP attending the Erasmus MC Rotterdam. Patients completed questionnaires, comprising demographic, clinical and social details, including two generic (DS‐14 and SF‐36) and a disease specific (EPP‐QoL) QoL questionnaires. 121 adult EPP patients were included. The educational level of EPP patients seemed higher compared to the Dutch population (36% vs. 30% high‐education, 42% vs. 37% middle‐education). At baseline 5% of the EPP patients were unemployed, none were unemployed during afamelanotide treatment. Full‐ and part‐time employment rate increased from 59.5% to 69.9% on afamelanotide treatment (p > 0.05). EPP‐QoL improved from 44% to 75% on afamelanotide treatment (p < 0.001). Type‐D personality was present in 27.4% of patients; their social inhibition scores improved significantly on afamelanotide treatment (p = 0.019). EPP patients scored low on the social functioning domain (SF‐36) compared to the Dutch population (74.4 ± 27.3 vs. 84.0 ± 22.4; respectively), and improved during afamelanotide treatment (84.3 ± 20.9, p = 0.001). EPP has a significant negative impact on social aspects, with less employment despite a higher education level. Afamelanotide treatment improves quality of life, social functioning and possibly employment rate. It is important to recognize the impact of EPP on social life, although, more research is needed.
Effects of intradialytic exercise in combination with melatonin supplementation on functional capacity, postural balance, and quality of life in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Marzougui Houssem , Maaloul Rami , Ben Dhia Imen , Toumi Salma , Kammoun Khawla , Ben Hmida Mohamed , Ayadi Fatma , Turki Mouna , Elleuch Mohamed Habib , Ghroubi Sameh , Hammouda Omar
Published: December 2022

Introduction

We evaluated the effect of intradialytic concurrent (resistance‐endurance) training combined with melatonin (MEL) supplementation on functional capacity, muscle strength, postural balance, and quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

Thirty‐three HD patients were randomized into three groups: Exercise (EX)‐MEL (n = 11); EX‐Placebo (PLA) (n = 11) and Control (C)‐PLA (n = 11). Participants included in the EX‐MEL and EX‐PLA groups were submitted to concurrent training for 12 weeks.

Results

EX‐MEL and EX‐PLA improved functional capacity, muscle strength, QoL, and postural balance parameters in eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Parameters of postural balance in the dual task condition were improved only in EX‐MEL. EX‐MEL induced better results in some domains of QoL compared with EX‐PLA.

Conclusion

Intradialytic concurrent training induced beneficial effects on physical function, muscle strength, postural balance, and QoL in HD patients. MEL supplementation combined with intradialytic exercise lead to better improvements in postural balance and QoL.
Developing a culturally acceptable peanut nutrition bar with smallholder women farmers in Kaffrine, Senegal using response surface methodology
Authors: Allan Edwin , Ndiaye Aliou , Song Mei , Raber Emily , Kuo Wan‐Yuan
Published: December 2022

To increase farm income and food security, a collaboration was made with smallholder women farmers in Kaffrine, Senegal to develop a culturally acceptable peanut nutrition bar using healthy indigenous and local ingredients and feasible manufacturing methods. This study aimed to use response surface methodology to optimize the bar's formulation and characterize the texture, nutrient profile, sensory qualities, and water activity. The bars were made by varying the ratio of cowpea flour to corn flour (w/w, d.b., 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) and the percentage of baobab pulp powder in the cowpea–corn flour blend (w/w, d.b., 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) with a fixed amount of 13 g of peanut paste added to all formulations. The use of acacia gum as a binder increased the bars’ cohesiveness. Increasing the ratio of cowpea flour to corn flour decreased the cohesiveness and increased protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and folate levels of the bars. Increasing the percentage of baobab pulp powder increased the hardness, fiber, and vitamin C levels, and decreased cohesiveness and water activity of the bars. The bar formulation optimized for sensory acceptance had a cowpea to corn ratio of 85.3:14.7, a baobab level of 9.95%, and 13 g of peanut paste. According to the research, the optimum formulation gave 38%, 32%, 36%, 50%, 11%, and 83% of the recommended dietary allowance of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and folate, respectively, per serving for school‐age children and featured culturally acceptable texture and desirable water activity for commercialization. This study provided critical foundations for the subsequent feasibility assessment of a commercial launch, projected to significantly increase the revenue and nutrient intake of the partnering communities.

Practical Application

The commercialization of the peanut nutrition bar will serve as a source of new income for Senegalese smallholder women farmers, provide essential nutrients for school‐age children and potentially reduce post‐harvest loss. Response surface methodology used in this study can also be applied to food product development with indigenous communities to develop an accepted and community‐feasible product formulation.
Curcumin‐infused xerogel‐based nutraceutical development and its 4D shape‐shifting behavior
Authors: Cheeyattil Subith , Rajan Anbarasan , Radhakrishnan Mahendran
Published: December 2022

Cereal‐based functional foods with shape‐changing (four‐dimensional [4D]) properties is a novel approach in the current scenario. The main objective of the research is to develop a bioactive compound incorporated in flat two‐dimensional xerogel and its hydromorphic three‐dimensional shape transformation. The spray‐dried curcumin at three different concentrations was incorporated with hydrogel (wheat–barley flour 8%), and flat xerogel was formed by sessile drop drying at 30°C and 78% relative humidity. The top smooth and rough bottom surface of xerogel provided anisotropic swelling properties during the shape transformation. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of xerogel were examined, and the retention of curcumin during the shape transformation was also examined during the research. The porous structure of barley–wheat xerogel has enhanced the incorporation of water‐insoluble bioactive components like curcumin. The diffusion properties of curcumin xerogel provided an antimicrobial effect against gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria. The optimum temperature (70°C) during the shape‐shifting provides the retention of bioavailability and functional properties of curcumin. The work describes the opportunities for developing xerogel incorporated with more bioactive and functional components and study its stability and hydromorphic 4D shape‐changing behavior.

Practical Application

Xerogel is a good carrier for different bioactive components. The development of curcumin‐infused biodegrade, non‐toxic, and cereal‐based xerogel provide an excellent opportunity for the delivery of curcumin in a cost‐effective way. The shape‐changing easily consumable forms of xerogel will attract more consumers, and it retains the bioavailability of infused compounds during processing.
On the manipulation, and meaning(s), of color in food: A historical perspective
Authors: Spence Charles
Published: December 2022

While there has long been public concern over the use of artificial/synthetic food colors, it should be remembered that food and drink products (e.g., red wine) have been purposefully colored for millennia. This narrative historical review highlights a number of reasons that food and drink have been colored, including to capture the shopper's visual attention through to signaling the likely taste/flavor. Over the course of the last century, there has, on occasion, also been interest in the playful, or sometimes even deliberately discombobulating, use of food coloring by modernist chefs and others. The coloring (or absence of color) of food and drink can, though, sometimes also take on more of a symbolic meaning, and, in a few cases, specific food colors may acquire a signature, or branded (i.e., semantic) association. That said, with food color being associated with so many different potential “meanings,” it is an open question as to which meaning the consumer will associate with any given instance of color in food, and what role context may play in their decision. Laboratory‐based sensory science research may not necessarily successfully capture the full range of meanings that may be associated with food color in the mind of the consumer. Nevertheless, it seems likely that food color will continue to play an important role in dictating consumer behavior in the years to come, even though the visual appearance of food is increasingly being mediated via technological means, including virtual and augmented reality.
Bronchiolar adenoma/ciliated muconodular papillary tumor mixed with adenocarcinoma in situ in the same tumor
Authors: Uchiyama Suiha , Mizutani Kenichi , Suzuki Eriko , Yoshii Naoko , Watanabe Takuya , Tsuchida Hiroyuki , Yobita Shogo , Iguchi Kensuke , Nakamura Minori , Endo Takumi , Takahashi Seishiro , Ogawa Hiroshi , Tanahashi Masayuki
Published: December 2022

Bronchiolar adenoma (BA)/ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) is defined as a benign tumor composed of epithelial and basal cells. Recently, some cases with driver mutations or malignant transformation have been observed. Thus, whether BA/CMPT is benign or malignant remains controversial. We herein report an extremely rare case of a 68‐year‐old woman with a CMPT accompanied by adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). BA/CMPT existed inside the AIS. The BA/CMPT component did not show any driver mutations; however, the AIS component had an EGFR driver mutation in exon 19. The accumulation of cases and further studies are needed to discuss the malignant potential of BA/CMPT.