bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Dairy deriving value through project management
Authors: Bhoola Vanita , Dwivedi Vineeta , Vedpuriswar Ayalur
Published: November 2021

Subject area

Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Risk Management, Communication.

Study level/applicability

Study level: MBA and Executive Education.

Applicability: This case can be taught in the project management course. It will cover the project-planning phase, which is an iterative or progressive elaboration for the entire project lifecycle. The case will help in discussing how project management is an important discipline to manage projects and stakeholders effectively.

Case overview

The case depicts the dilemma of a passionate entrepreneur who is setting up an ambitious dairy business but project execution goes awry. The case discusses the challenges related to project planning and execution.

It captures the essence of proactive risk management, measures that can mitigate risks and create opportunities. The case also discusses the entire project lifecycle from project initiation to closure and the challenges a manager has to face in terms of stakeholder engagement, risk management, stakeholder communication and scope change.

Expected learning outcomes

To understand the alignment of the project with the organisation strategy; to learn to create a project plan and monitor and control the scope, schedule, resources and costs; to accurately estimate project costs, timelines, and quality and schedule, using tools like MS Project; to learn the risk management techniques for managing projects, teams and stakeholders; and to manage stakeholder communication effectively.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 2: Built Environment.
Technological regimes or “perceived” technological regimes? Evidence from the Italian wine industry
Authors: Muscio Alessandro , Nardone Gianluca , Stasi Antonio
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Technological regimes define the environment in which innovative and learning activities take place in each sector of the economy. In this paper, the authors argue that technological regimes must be interpreted and elaborated by each organisation operating within a sector in order to be implemented rationally, which leads us to the concept of perceived technological regimes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the relevance of firms' perceptions of different technological regimes on a sample of wine companies in Italy. The authors run a questionnaire survey and obtained 334 clean responses. Data drawn from questionnaires were analysed via econometric analysis.

Findings

The authors present empirical evidence that this perception tends to vary across different wine technologies. Additionally, the authors find evidence that firms' technology adoption, absorptive capacity and external knowledge sourcing have a strong impact on their perceptions of the relevance of a given wine-making technology.

Originality/value

While individual technological regimes are characterised by systematic differences in the distribution of heterogeneous firm types, previous empirical studies have not explored whether the technological environment defining a given industry is differently interpreted and elaborated by each firm operating in it.
Integrated SDM database: Enhancing the relevance and utility of species distribution models in conservation management
Authors: Frans Veronica F. , Augé Amélie A. , Fyfe Jim , Zhang Yuqian , McNally Nathan , Edelhoff Hendrik , Balkenhol Niko , Engler Jan O.
Published: November 2021

Species' ranges are changing at accelerating rates. Species distribution models (SDMs) are powerful tools that help rangers and decision‐makers prepare for reintroductions, range shifts, reductions and/or expansions by predicting habitat suitability across landscapes. Yet, range‐expanding or ‐shifting species in particular face other challenges that traditional SDM procedures cannot quantify, due to large differences between a species' currently occupied range and potential future range. The realism of SDMs is thus lost and not as useful for conservation management in practice. Here, we address these challenges with an extended assessment of habitat suitability through an integrated SDM database (iSDMdb).

The iSDMdb is a spatial database of predicted sites in a species' prediction range, derived from SDM results, and is a single spatial feature that contains additional, user‐friendly data fields that synthesise and summarise SDM predictions and uncertainty, human impacts, restoration features, novel preferences in novel spaces and management priorities. To illustrate its utility, we used the endangered New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri. We consulted with wildlife rangers, decision‐makers and sea lion experts to supplement SDM predictions with additional, more realistic and applicable information for management.

Almost half the data fields included in this database resulted from engaging with these end‐users during our study. The SDM found 395 predicted sites. However, the iSDMdb's additional assessments showed that the actual suitability of most sites (90%) was questionable due to human impacts. >50% of sites contained unnatural barriers (fences, grazing grasslands), and 75% of sites had roads located within the species' range of inland movement. Just 5% of the predicted sites were mostly (>80%) protected.

Integrating SDM results with supplemental assessments provides a way to address SDM limitations, especially for range‐expanding or ‐shifting species. SDM products for conservation applications have been critiqued for lacking transparency and interpretation support, and ineffectively communicating uncertainty. The iSDMdb addresses these issues and enhances the practical relevance and utility of SDMs for stakeholders, rangers and decision‐makers. We exemplify how to build an iSDMdb using open‐source tools, and how to make diverse, complex assessments more accessible for end‐users.
Laparoscopic approach as a safe and effective option for incarcerated femoral hernias
Authors: Okazaki Ryo , Poudel Saseem , Hane Yuma , Saito Takahiro , Muto Jun , Syoji Yasuhito , Hase Ryunosuke , Senmaru Naoto , Hirano Satoshi
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The laparoscopic approach for elective femoral herniorrhaphy is well established. However, femoral hernias often present as incarcerations and require emergency repair surgery, mainly using the open approach. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for incarcerated femoral hernias.

Methods

Data of patients who underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated femoral hernia between April 2016 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Laparoscopy was performed whenever possible; however, conversion to an open approach remained a fallback option for when laparoscopic repair was not possible. In laparoscopic repair, incarcerated femoral hernias reduced using traction, water pressure, and preperitoneal methods. Data of patients who underwent open repair and laparoscopy were then compared.

Results

During the observation period, 20 patients underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated femoral hernia. Eleven patients subsequently underwent repair using a laparoscopic approach, and eight underwent repair using an open approach. Only one patient underwent intestinal resection without hernia repair due to perforated bowel. Operative time for laparoscopic repair was longer. Mesh repair was performed in 18 patients. Four patients each in the laparoscopic repair and open group required intestinal resection.

Conclusion

Incarcerated femoral hernias can be safely repaired using the laparoscopic approach.
Ethnic identity concealment and disclosure: Contexts and strategies
Authors: Dobai Anna , Hopkins Nick
Published: November 2021

Ethnic minority group members’ responses to their prejudicial treatment can take several forms. One involves identity concealment (e.g., ‘passing’). In order to understand such a response, we must explore participants’ understandings of the interactional context before them, their meta‐perceptions of the identity others ascribe to them, and the varied meanings that identity concealment/non‐disclosure may have in that context. Our analysis of interview data (N = 30) obtained with Roma in Hungary reveals diverse forms of, and motivations for, the concealment of their Roma identity. Some participants reported examples of proactive identity concealment, others reported more reactive forms (in which they went along with others’ mistaken assumptions concerning their identity). The motivations for identity concealment (whether proactive or reactive) included the desire to: secure material benefits; avoid conflict; take pleasure from seeing others’ assumptions blinding them to the reality before them; test (and expose) majority group members’ attitudes; allow themselves opportunities to experience the world in new ways. Our analysis highlights the importance of social identity researchers recognizing the diverse motivations for ethnic identity concealment: From the actors’ perspective concealment is not always assimilatory, and in some contexts can be experienced as empowering.
Pre‐treatment Methods for Accurate Determination of Total Nitrogen and Organic Carbon Contents and their Stable Isotopic Compositions: Re‐evaluation from Geological Reference Materials
Authors: Fujisaki Wataru , Matsui Yohei , Ueda Hisahiro , Sawaki Yusuke , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Maruoka Teruyuki
Published: November 2021

This study reports total nitrogen (TN), carbon (TC) and organic carbon (TOC) contents, as well as stable isotopic ratios (δ15NTN, δ13CTC and δ13Corg), from marine, stream and lacustrine geological reference materials (JMs‐1, JMs‐2, SBC‐1, SCo‐2, JSd‐3, JSd‐4 and JLk‐1), which can be classified into two types; modern surface, and ancient, sediments. Using this newly obtained data set, we systematically investigated the biases of three pre‐treatment methods for nitrogen and carbon measurements: (1) non‐acidification (untreated method), (2) HCl acidification in various conditions and subsequent rinsing with high‐purity water repeatedly (rinse method) and (3) in situ acidification in a gold‐coated silver capsule (capsule method). Our results showed that such acid pre‐treatments can affect both nitrogen and carbon measurements, except for the carbon data of the ancient geological RMs. Therefore, the nitrogen analysis should be conducted using untreated samples while carbon data should be obtained using the capsule method for modern surface sediments and the rinse method (6 mol l‐1 HCl acidification at 70 °C) for ancient sediments. We believe that using appropriate pre‐treatment methods is crucial to deriving new interpretations of ancient/modern environmental processes and mechanisms in the future.
The impact of rent control: Investigations on historical data in the city of Lyon
Authors: Bonneval Loïc , Goffette‐Nagot Florence , Zhao Zhejin
Published: November 2021

This paper reexamines the debated issue of the effects of rent control policy on the rental market. We investigate the impact on rents of three different forms of rent regulation in Lyon over a 78‐year period. We use an original historical data set which allows us to track regulation changes, rent paid, and tenant moves for a long‐run panel of flats. Using a difference‐in‐differences method, we estimate the impact of regulation on rents depending on the type of rent control over different economic periods. Our results show that the impact of rent control deepened over time. Starting with an 11% reduction in rents between 1914 and 1929, it reached a decrease by 47% in the regulated rental market in the 1949–1968 period. We do not find any increase in rents in the unregulated segment of the rental market, which could be a result of a reduction in housing investment in the long run.
Perspectives of substitute decision‐makers and staff about person‐centred physical activity in long‐term care
Authors: Chu Charlene H. , Quan Amanda M. L. , Gandhi Freya , McGilton Katherine S.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

This paper aims to explore the care processes that best exemplify person‐centred care during physical activity (PA) for long‐term care (LTC) residents with dementia from the perspectives of substitute decision‐makers (SDMs) and LTC home staff. Little is known about how person‐centred care is reflected during PA for residents with dementia, or the barriers and benefits to enacting person‐centred care during PA.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were used to collect SDMs and LTC home staffs' perspectives on the importance of person‐centred care during PA from two LTC homes in Canada. The McCormack and McCance person‐centredness framework was used to guide thematic content analysis of responses.

Results

SDM (n = 26) and staff (n = 21) identified actions categorized under the sympathetic presence or engagement care processes from the person‐centredness framework as most reflecting person‐centred care. Benefits of person‐centred care during PA were categorized into three themes: functional and physical, behavioural and communication and psychosocial improvements. Barriers to person‐centred care during PA identified were lack of time, opportunities for meaningful activity in LTC setting and staff experiences with resident aggression.

Significance

Understanding the care processes that are most recognized as person‐centred care and valued by SDMs and LTC home staff has implications for education and training. Insights into SDMs' care expectations regarding person‐centred care can inform staff about which actions should be prioritized to meet care expectations and can foster relationships to the benefit of residents with dementia.

Patient and Public Contribution

Study participants were not involved in the development of research questions, research design or outcome measures of this study.
Clinical, radiological and pathological features of idiopathic and secondary interstitial pneumonia with pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in patients undergoing lung transplantation
Authors: Ikegami Naoya , Nakajima Naoki , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Handa Tomohiro , Chen‐Yoshikawa Toyofumi , Kubo Takeshi , Tanizawa Kiminobu , Ohsumi Akihiro , Yamada Yoshito , Hamaji Masatsugu , Nakajima Daisuke , Yutaka Yojiro , Tanaka Satona , Watanabe Kizuku , Nakatsuka Yoshinari , Murase Yuko , Nakanishi Tomoko , Niwamoto Takafumi , Chin Kazuo , Date Hiroshi , Hirai Toyohiro
Published: November 2021

Aims

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and pathological PPFE is also observed in patients with secondary interstitial pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate the pathological findings associated with radiological PPFE‐like lesions and the clinical and morphological features of patients with pathological PPFE.

Methods and results

We retrospectively reviewed the pathology of the explanted lungs from 59 lung transplant recipients with radiological PPFE‐like lesions. Pathological PPFE lesions were identified in 14 patients with idiopathic disease and in 12 patients with secondary disease. Pathological PPFE was associated with previous pneumothorax, volume loss in the upper lobes, and a flattened chest. Patients with idiopathic disease and those with secondary disease with pathological PPFE had similar clinical, radiological and pathological findings, whereas fibroblastic foci were more common in patients with idiopathic disease, and patients with secondary disease more frequently showed alveolar septal thickening with elastosis or fibrosis. Post‐transplantation survival did not differ between patients with idiopathic and secondary disease with pathological PPFE (log‐rank; P = 0.57) and was similar between patients with idiopathic disease with pathological PPFE and those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (log‐rank; P = 0.62).

Conclusions

Not all patients with interstitial pneumonia with radiological PPFE‐like lesions have pathological PPFE. Characteristic clinical features can suggest the presence of pathological PPFE, and idiopathic and secondary cases with pathological PPFE are similar except for fibroblastic foci in idiopathic cases and alveolar septal thickening with elastosis or fibrosis in secondary cases. Patients with pathological PPFE have a similar prognosis to those with IPF after transplantation.
Using eye‐movements to assess underlying factors in online purchasing behaviors
Authors: Johnson Rebecca L. , Nambiar Devika , Suman Gabriella
Published: November 2021

The field of consumer neuroscience allows researchers to account for an individual’s explicit reported behaviors as well as their implicit behaviors that are reflected in the neural mechanisms that occur during the purchase decision phase of a consumer’s online shopping experience. The purpose of the current study was to use eye‐tracking technology in conjunction with self‐report purchase intention data to observe the relative impact of star rating, price, discount, and time pressure on purchase decisions. The results suggest that purchase intention was most affected by star rating, price, and discount with higher purchase intentions on items with higher star ratings, lower prices, and greater discounts. The eye movement data revealed that these factors, as well as time pressure, influenced where consumers directed their attention in making their purchasing decisions. These findings have significant implications for future ecommerce marketing strategy, especially across efforts to increase purchase intention.
Synthesis of yttria nanopowder with poly acrylic acid as dispersant for highly transparent yttria ceramics
Authors: Ni Meng , Wang Jun , Ma Jie , Yao Bingqing , Ong Boonchong , Dong Zhili , Tang Dingyuan
Published: November 2021

Highly pure and well‐dispersed yttria nanocrystalline powders were synthesized with a modified coprecipitation method that uses mixed ammonium hydroxide‐carbonate solution as the precipitant and poly acrylic acid (PAA) as the dispersant. Comparing with the yttria powders synthesized using the same route but without PAA dispersant, the PAA‐assisted powders exhibit lower level of agglomeration and better sinterability. Sintering trajectories of the powders with and without PAA dispersant were investigated. Y2O3 ceramics sintered with the PAA‐assisted powders exhibited smaller grain size, homogeneous microstructure, and higher in‐line optical transmittance. The result suggests that the polymer‐assisted coprecipitation could be used to synthesize yttria nanopowders for fabricating high optical quality transparent ceramics.
Transcriptional response of the calcification and stress response toolkits in an octocoral under heat and pH stress
Authors: Vargas Sergio , Zimmer Thorsten , Conci Nicola , Lehmann Martin , Wörheide Gert
Published: November 2021

Up to one‐third of all described marine species inhabit coral reefs, but the future of these hyperdiverse ecosystems is insecure due to local and global threats, such as overfishing, eutrophication, ocean warming and acidification. Although these impacts are expected to have a net detrimental effect on reefs, it has been shown that some organisms such as octocorals may remain unaffected, or benefit from, anthropogenically induced environmental change, and may replace stony corals in future reefs. Despite their potential importance in future shallow‐water coastal environments, the molecular mechanisms leading to the resilience to anthropogenically induced stress observed in octocorals remain unknown. Here, we use manipulative experiments, proteomics and transcriptomics to show that the molecular toolkit used by Pinnigorgia flava, a common Indo‐Pacific gorgonian octocoral, to deposit its calcium carbonate skeleton is resilient to heat and seawater acidification stress. Sublethal heat stress triggered a stress response in P. flava but did not affect the expression of 27 transcripts encoding skeletal organic matrix (SOM) proteins. Exposure to seawater acidification did not cause a stress response but triggered the downregulation of many transcripts, including an osteonidogen homologue present in the SOM. The observed transcriptional decoupling of the skeletogenic and stress‐response toolkits provides insights into the mechanisms of resilience to anthropogenically driven environmental change observed in octocorals.
Non‐Steroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) sensitize melanoma cells to MEK inhibition and inhibit metastasis and relapse by inducing degradation of AXL
Authors: Chen Yingshi , Zhang Yiwen , Chen Siqi , Liu Weiwei , Lin Yingtong , Zhang Hui , Yu Fei
Published: November 2021

Melanoma is highly heterogeneous with diverse genomic alterations and partial therapeutic responses. The emergence of drug‐resistant tumor cell clones accompanied by a high AXL expression level is one of the major challenges for anti‐tumor clinical care. Recent studies have demonstrated that high AXL expression in melanoma cells mediated drug resistance, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and elevated survival of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Given that we have identified several non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin potently induce the degradation of AXL, we questioned whether NSAIDs could counteract the AXL‐mediated neoplastic phenotypes. In this study, we found that NSAIDs downregulate PKA activity via the PGE2/EP2/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and interrupt the PKA‐dependent interaction between CDC37 and HSP90, resulting in an incorrect AXL protein folding and finally AXL degradation through the ubiquitination‐proteasome system (UPS) pathway. Furthermore, NSAIDs not only sensitized the MEK inhibitor treatment but also reduced EMT and relapse mediated by AXL in tumor tissue. Our findings suggest that the combination of inhibitors and NSAIDs, especially aspirin, could be a simple but efficient modality to treat melanoma in which AXL is a key factor for drug resistance, metastasis, and relapse.
Clinical outcome of cord blood transplantation for nine children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia receiving fludarabine‐busulfan‐cyclophosphamide‐based conditioning
Authors: Li Guifang , Sun Zimin , Geng Liangquan , Wan Xiang , Zhu Xiaoyu , Tang Baolin , Tong Juan , Yao Wen , Song Kaidi , Qiang Ping , Zhang Lei , Zhang Xuhan , Zhang Shiyang , Liu Huilan
Published: November 2021

Background

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare hematological malignancy in young children and can only be cured through the allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Procedure

We have retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of nine children with JMML after unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT).

Results

Eight patients who have received a myeloablative conditioning regimen of fludarabine (FLU), busulfan (BU), and cyclophosphamide (CY) have gotten engraftment. None of the nine patients has relapsed following initial UCBT. Six patients are still alive and in complete remission after UCBT with a median observation time of 43 months (range: 10–80 months).

Conclusions

This study shows that UCBT with FLU‐BU‐CY conditioning regimen can represent a suitable option for children with JMML.
The impact of Chinese import competition on Italian manufacturing
Authors: Citino Luca , Linarello Andrea
Published: November 2021

This paper documents the effects of increased import competition from China on the Italian labor market. In line with recent studies, we take two complementary approaches and study both the effects on local labor markets and on manufacturing workers. Our analysis shows that the Italian local labor markets which were more exposed to Chinese trade by means of their industry composition ended up suffering larger manufacturing and overall employment losses. Nevertheless, back‐of‐the‐envelope calculations suggest that the aggregate effect on total manufacturing employment is modest. At the individual level, contrary to what has been documented for many developed countries, workers initially employed in more exposed manufacturing industries did not suffer long‐term losses in terms of lower earnings or more discontinuous careers. While they were indeed less likely than other similar workers to continue working in manufacturing, they were also able to carry out successful transitions toward the non‐tradable sector, in other areas with better job opportunities.
Study of the Hydraulic Performances of Two Inducers in Water—CO2 Mixture—Toward Performance Improvement With Suppression of Prerotation
Authors: Tomov Petar , Pora Loic , Paridaens Richard , Magne Théodore , Kebdani Mohamed , Khelladi Sofiane , Bakir Farid
Published: November 2021

The inducers increase the pressure available at the inlet of the impellers of centrifugal pumps. This technological solution may induce instabilities, such as prerotating flow at partial flow rates. The scientific literature offers studies on the cavitation in the inducers, as well as on the associated instabilities. However, studies describing devices that improve the behavior in these unstable regimes are rare. This is particularly true for fluids like aviation fuels or liquids with dissolved gases. In this work we expose, an experimental study for two axial inducers carried out at low flow rates in cavitating and noncavitating regimes in a closed-loop equipped with a transparent test pipe. The working liquid is water with and without dissolved CO2. We employ a camera and a high-speed camera to take the photographs of the dynamics of the cavitation structures. The experimental campaign provided results of head breakdown comparison. The added dissolved CO2 gas at a concentration of 300 mg L–1 does not change the overall inducers' performance in noncavitating regime. The paper presents also the impact of some of inducers' geometrical parameters on their cavitating performance. The authors observed prerotating flow instability, which they tried to decrease by incorporating a grooved ring into the inlet side of the inducers. It is found that prerotating structures are much less developed in the upstream when a grooved ring is employed.
Stochastic Method to Predict Effects of Roll Grinding Deviations on Sheet Flatness in Cold Rolling
Authors: Zhang Feng , Malik Arif
Published: November 2021

Industrial measurements of the diameter profiles of work-rolls used in cold sheet rolling are applied with a stochastic roll-stack model to better understand how residual error from the roll grinding process affects the rolled sheet flatness quality. Roll diameter measurements taken via a noncontact, optical device on new, warm, and worn work-rolls show that the diameter deviations vary along the roll lengths, across roll samples, and at different operational states, suggesting a multidimensional random field problem. Studies are conducted for a 4-high rolling mill with 301 stainless steel sheet to investigate the reliability in achieving target flatness considering the work-roll diameter random field. Also investigated is the sensitivity of the flatness reliability to roll diameter deviations at different locations along the roll lengths and for the three operational states (newly machined, warm, and worn following several passes). The results lead to several key findings. Foremost, it is shown that an assumption of statistical independence among the residual grinding errors at different roll axis locations is improper. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that, for the measured grinding error correlation patterns, the roll diameter deviations external to the roll/sheet contact region play an important role in contributing to flatness defects within the sheet and that these influences vary according to the roll operational state (new, warm, worn). The presented stochastic model and applied measurement data thus provide for a new understanding into how roll grinding performance influences dimensional quality in the sheet rolling process.
Two new genera, three new species and three new records of eriophyoid mites (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) in China
Authors: Liu Liangxin , Tan Mengchao , Mo Yingying , Wang Guoquan
Published: November 2021

Two new genera, three new species and three new records of eriophyoid mites from China are described and illustrated: Medicavarus rhododendrus gen. nov. et sp. nov. from Rhododendron delavayi Franch. (Ericaceae); Rhycanonaequitas laevifolia gen. nov. et sp. nov. from Magnolia laevifolia (Y.W. Law & Y.F. Wu) Noot. (Magnoliaceae); Cosella quihouis sp. nov. on Ligustrum quihoui Carr. (Oleaceae); Rhombacus eucalypti Ghosh & Chakrabarti, 1987 rec. nov. on Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae); Keiferana neolitsiae (Channabasavanna, 1966) rec. nov. on Cinnamomum burmanni (Nees et T. Nees) Blume (Lauraceae); Petanovicia cathartica Zhao, Li & Wang, 2018 rec. nov. on Allamanda schottii Pohl (Apocynaceae).
Model reduction in acoustic inversion by artificial neural network
Authors: Koponen Janne , Lähivaara Timo , Kaipio Jari , Vauhkonen Marko
Published: November 2021

In ultrasound tomography, the speed of sound inside an object is estimated based on acoustic measurements carried out by sensors surrounding the object. An accurate forward model is a prominent factor for high-quality image reconstruction, but it can make computations far too time-consuming in many applications. Using approximate forward models, it is possible to speed up the computations, but the quality of the reconstruction may have to be compromised. In this paper, a neural network-based approach is proposed that can compensate for modelling errors caused by the approximate forward models. The approach is tested with various different imaging scenarios in a simulated two-dimensional domain. The results show that with fairly small training datasets, the proposed approach can be utilized to approximate the modelling errors, and to significantly improve the image reconstruction quality in ultrasound tomography, compared to commonly used inversion algorithms.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni from Human Campylobacteriosis in Taiwan, 2016 to 2019
Authors: Liao Ying-Shu , Chen Bo-Han , Teng Ru-Hsiou , Wang You-Wun , Chang Jui-Hsien , Liang Shiu-Yun , Tsao Chi-Sen , Hong Yu-Ping , Sung Hui-Yung , Chiou Chien-Shun
Published: November 2021

Campylobacter coli
and
Campylobacter Jejuni
are highly resistant to most therapeutic antimicrobials in Taiwan; rapid diagnostics of resistance in bacterial isolates is crucial for the treatment of campylobacteriosis. We characterized 219 (40
C. coli
and 179
C. jejuni
) isolates recovered from humans from 2016 to 2019 using whole-genome sequencing to investigate the genetic diversity among isolates and the genetic resistance determinants associated with antimicrobial resistance.
IRE1α-Driven Inflammation Promotes Clearance of Citrobacter rodentium Infection
Authors: Sweet Lydia A. , Kuss-Duerkop Sharon K. , Keestra-Gounder A. Marijke
Published: November 2021

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is intimately linked with inflammation in response to pathogenic infections. ER stress occurs when cells experience a buildup of misfolded or unfolded protein during times of perturbation, such as infections, which facilitates the unfolded protein response (UPR).
Qualitative assessment of caustic soda injury in Liberia
Authors: Zawolo Jethro , Cohn Keri A , Kawah-Baysah Maima , Weah-Chenoway Salome , Gbozee Lawuobah , Vinograd Alexandra M
Published: November 2021

Objectives

This study explored lye (caustic soda, sodium hydroxide) use in Liberia, knowledge about its risks and injury prevention programmes.

Design

A qualitative semistructured interview study.

Setting

Focus groups occurred in six Liberian counties between April and August 2016.

Patients

Two previously identified stakeholder groups included parents of children under 5 years and adults identifying as soap makers.

Interventions

Interview guides were written. Participants were recruited by convenience and snowball sampling. Transcribed audio-recorded discussions were analysed using the constant comparative approach.

Main outcome measures

Participants were enrolled until thematic saturation was reached.

Results

Ninety-six adults participated. Participants described how lye entered the home, its use, storage, lye-related injuries and treatments, and injury prevention programmes.

Conclusions

Lye is commonly used and stored in Liberian homes despite recognition of its danger. A successful injury prevention programme must interrupt this cycle and find programming and legislative change to which the community is receptive.
How can we better integrate the prevention, treatment, control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases with other health interventions? A systematic review
Authors: Banda Gift Treighcy , Deribe Kebede , Davey Gail
Published: November 2021

Background

Globally, about 1.7 billion people living in poverty are affected by one or more of a group of disabling, disfiguring and poverty-promoting conditions known as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Major global health actors, like the WHO, have endorsed a shift from vertical to integrated NTD management.

Objective

This systematic review aimed to evaluate how integration is being conducted and how we can improve it.

Methods

PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library, Web of Science, Trip, Embase, Global Health and Google Scholar were searched from 1 April to 22 July 2020.We included peer-reviewed articles published between 1 January 2000 and 22 July 2020 in English.

Results

Database searches produced 24 565 studies, of which 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. Twenty of these articles were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Twenty articles were also published between 2015 and 2020. Literature revealed that NTDs have been integrated—among themselves; with water, sanitation and hygiene programmes; with vector control; with primary healthcare; with immunisation programmes; and with malaria management. Integrated mass drug administration for multiple NTDs was the most common method of integration. The three complex, yet common characteristics of successful integration were good governance, adequate financing and total community engagement.

Conclusion

The dataset identified integrated management of NTDs to be cost effective and potentially to increase treatment coverage. However, the identified modes of integration are not exclusive and are limited by the available literature. Nonetheless, integration should urgently be implemented, while considering the programmatic and sociopolitical context.

PROSPERO registration number

The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO number, CRD42020167358.
Study protocol: a multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, phase 2, randomised controlled trial of autologous macrophage therapy for liver cirrhosis (MATCH)
Authors: Brennan Paul Noel , MacMillan Mark , Manship Thomas , Moroni Francesca , Glover Alison , Graham Catriona , Semple Scott , Morris David M , Fraser Alasdair R , Pass Chloe , McGowan Neil W A , Turner Marc L , Lachlan Neil , Dillon John F , Campbell John D M , Fallowfield Jonathan Andrew , Forbes Stuart J
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Liver cirrhosis is a growing global healthcare challenge. Cirrhosis is characterised by severe liver fibrosis, organ dysfunction and complications related to portal hypertension. There are no licensed antifibrotic or proregenerative medicines and liver transplantation is a scarce resource. Hepatic macrophages can promote both liver fibrogenesis and fibrosis regression. The safety and feasibility of peripheral infusion of ex vivo matured autologous monocyte-derived macrophages in patients with compensated cirrhosis has been demonstrated.

Methods and analysis

The efficacy of autologous macrophage therapy, compared with standard medical care, will be investigated in a cohort of adult patients with compensated cirrhosis in a multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, phase 2, randomised controlled trial. The primary outcome is the change in Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score at 90 days. The trial will provide the first high-quality examination of the efficacy of autologous macrophage therapy in improving liver function, non-invasive fibrosis markers and other clinical outcomes in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial will be conducted according to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki 2013 and has been approved by Scotland A Research Ethics Committee (reference 15/SS/0121), National Health Service Lothian Research and Development department and the Medicine and Health Care Regulatory Agency-UK. Final results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at relevant conferences.

Trial registration numbers

ISRCTN10368050and EudraCT; reference 2015-000963-15
Early prescribing outcomes after exporting the EQUIPPED medication safety improvement programme
Authors: Vaughan Camille P , Hwang Ula , Vandenberg Ann E , Leong Traci , Wu Daniel , Stevens Melissa B , Clevenger Carolyn , Eucker Stephanie , Genes Nick , Huang Wennie , Ikpe-Ekpo Edidiong , Nassisi Denise , Previl Laura , Rodriguez Sandra , Sanon Martine , Schlientz David , Vigliotti Debbie , Hastings S Nicole
Published: November 2021

Enhancing quality of prescribing practices for older adults discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUIPPED) aims to reduce the monthly proportion of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to older adults discharged from the ED to 5% or less. We describe prescribing outcomes at three academic health systems adapting and sequentially implementing the EQUIPPED medication safety programme.

EQUIPPED was adapted from a model developed in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and sequentially implemented in one academic health system per year over a 3-year period. The monthly proportion of PIMs, as defined by the 2015 American Geriatrics Beers Criteria, of all medications prescribed to adults aged 65 years and older at discharge was assessed for 6 months preimplementation until 12 months postimplementation using a generalised linear time series model with a Poisson distribution.

The EQUIPPED programme was translated from the VA health system and its electronic medical record into three health systems each using a version of the Epic electronic medical record. Adaptation occurred through local modification of order sets and in the generation and delivery of provider prescribing reports by local champions. Baseline monthly PIM proportions 6 months prior to implementation at the three sites were 5.6% (95% CI 5.0% to 6.3%), 5.8% (95% CI 5.0% to 6.6%) and 7.3% (95% CI 6.4% to 9.2%), respectively. Evaluation of monthly prescribing including the twelve months post-EQUIPPED implementation demonstrated significant reduction in PIMs at one of the three sites. In exploratory analyses, the proportion of benzodiazepine prescriptions decreased across all sites from approximately 17% of PIMs at baseline to 9.5%–12% postimplementation, although not all reached statistical significance.

EQUIPPED is feasible to implement outside the VA system. While the impact of the EQUIPPED model may vary across different health systems, results from this initial translation suggest significant reduction in specific high-risk drug classes may be an appropriate target for improvement at sites with relatively low baseline PIM prescribing rates.
Cross-roads for meta-analysis and network meta-analysis of H. pylori therapy
Authors: Graham David Y , Hernaez Ruben , Rokkas Theodore
Published: November 2021

Helicobacter pylori infections are responsible for tremendous morbidity and mortality worldwide, leading to efforts to eradicate the organism. However, the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy has been undermined by the progressive development of antimicrobial resistance. Treatments and treatment guidelines have been based on traditional pairwise meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. More recently, network meta-analyses have also been used in an attempt to provide useful information to the clinician regarding which therapies appear best and which to avoid as the least efficacious. However, both forms of meta-analysis have been undermined by the same problems including the poor quality of the clinical trials using unoptimised regimens and incomparable comparisons related to marked geographic and ethnic genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. In addition, the comparator regimens often consist of invalid strawman comparisons. New approaches concerning H. pylori treatment and analysis of therapies are needed. H. pylori therapies should be based on antimicrobial stewardship, as in other infectious diseases. This approach requires the use of only optimised therapies proven to be reliably highly effective in the local population (eg, a cure rate of >90%) for both the study and the comparator regimens. Meta-analyses should be restricted to regimens that meet these criteria and must take into account the presence of marked geographical and host genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. In addition, to provide clinically relevant results, treatment outcomes should focus on, and present, actual cure rates in addition to odd ratios.
Lofty goals and strategic plans are not enough to achieve and maintain a diverse workforce: an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee conversation
Authors: Brasel Karen , Berry Cherisse , Williams Brian H , Henry Sharon M , Upperman Jeffrey , West Michaela A
Published: November 2021

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Ad Hoc Committee organized a luncheon symposium with a distinguished panel of experts to discuss how to ensure a diverse surgical workforce. The panelists discussed the current state of DEI efforts within surgical departments and societal demographic changes that inform and necessitate surgical workforce adaptations. Concrete recommendations included the following: obtain internal data, establish DEI committee, include bias training, review hiring and compensation practices, support the department members doing the DEI work, commit adequate funding, be intentional with DEI efforts, and develop and support alternate pathways for promotion and tenure.
An Upper Bound for the w-Weak Global Dimension of Pullbacks
Authors: Xie Jin , Tang Gaohua
Published: November 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with identity and [Formula: see text] an ideal of [Formula: see text]. We introduce and study the [Formula: see text]-weak global dimension [Formula: see text] of the factor ring [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be a [Formula: see text]-linked extension of [Formula: see text], and we also introduce the [Formula: see text]-weak global dimension [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. We show that the ring [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is exactly a field and the ring [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is exactly a [Formula: see text]. As an application, we give an upper bound for the [Formula: see text]-weak global dimension of a Cartesian square [Formula: see text]. More precisely, if [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-linked over [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, for a Milnor square [Formula: see text], we obtain [Formula: see text].
Superhydrophobic/Superhydrophilic Hybrid Copper Surface Enhanced Micro Heat Pipe by Using Laser Selective Texturing
Authors: Lou Deyuan , Li Teng , Liang Enkang , Lu Gengxin , Yang Shaokun , Cheng Jian , Yang Qibiao , Tao Qing , Liu Dun
Published: November 2021

The heat transfer performance of Flat micro heat pipe (FMHP) is mainly determined by liquid absorption capacity of the wick. A chemical-free laser selective micro-texture technology is proposed for the fabrication of FMHP. Series of samples with different widths of the superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic spacing stripes were prepared by laser micro texturing, and their transport capacity was tested. Scanning electron microscope, three-dimensional optical profiling, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope techniques were used to characterize the surfaces, and the mechanism of accelerating liquid reflux was investigated. Two samples with the same spacing width were used to make FMHPs. The heat transfer performance of each group of FMHPs was tested, including the start-up time, steady state temperature, and axial maximum temperature difference, and the corresponding thermal resistances were calculated. The results show that the width of superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic spacing stripes can affect the capillary force and hysteresis force during droplet transport, thereby affecting the droplet transport velocity, and in turn, influencing the heat transfer performance of the FMHP. Compared with most current flat micro heat pipes, the laser selective textured heat pipe with superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic stripes can significantly improve the heat transfer performance, and is promising for heat transfer applications in microelectronic equipment.
Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Understand Traffic Violation Behaviors in E-Bike Couriers in China
Authors: Cheng Qian , Deng Wei , Hu Qizhou
Published: November 2021

This paper identifies salient beliefs that influence e-bike couriers’ traffic violation behavior based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Two surveys were conducted in Nanjing, China, in 2018. The first survey extracted the key psychological beliefs, which were used to design a questionnaire. The second survey assessed TPB components and reported e-bike couriers’ traffic violation behavior. A structural equation model was adopted to analyze the data. The results revealed that attitudes, descriptive norms, and perceived behavioral control explained 55.7% of the variance in intention to perform traffic violation behavior, and intentions together with perceived behavior control accounted for 28.5% of the variance in self-reported violation riding behavior. All of the belief composites had strong direct impacts on their respective TPB constructs. Salient beliefs were applied to develop effective intervention strategies. Age, education level, whether one possessed a driver’s license, and past traffic violation behaviors had significant effects on belief composites and behavior. The quantitative analysis results obtained in the study can provide theoretical support for designing more effective interventions for reducing the traffic violation rate of e-bike couriers.
Principal Primitive Ideals in Quadratic Orders and Pell’s Equations
Authors: Issa Ahmad , Sankari Hasan
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we introduce a method of determining whether the primitive ideal is principal in a real quadratic order, depending on the solvability of Pell’s equation.
On Some Properties of Multiplicative Topological Indices in Silicon-Carbon
Authors: Mahboob Abid , Mahboob Sajid , Jaradat Mohammed M. M. , Nigar Nigait , Siddique Imran
Published: November 2021

The use of graph theory can be visualized in nanochemistry, computer networks, Google maps, and molecular graph which are common areas to elaborate application of this subject. In nanochemistry, a numeric number (topological index) is used to estimate the biological, physical, and structural properties of chemical compounds that are associated with the chemical graph. In this paper, we compute the first and second multiplicative Zagreb indices (

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