bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delirium in Older Patients after Combined Epidural–General Anesthesia or General Anesthesia for Major Surgery: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Li Ya-Wei , Li Huai-Jin , Li Hui-Juan , Zhao Bin-Jiang , Guo Xiang-Yang , Feng Yi , Zuo Ming-Zhang , Yu Yong-Pei , Kong Hao , Zhao Yi , Huang Da , Deng Chun-Mei , Hu Xiao-Yun , Liu Peng-Fei , Li Yan , An Hai-Yan , Zhang Hong-Ye , Wang Mei-Rong , Wu Yang-Feng , Wang Dong-Xin , Sessler Daniel I. ,   for the Peking University Clinical Research Program Study Group
Published: July 2021

Background

Delirium is a common and serious postoperative complication, especially in the elderly. Epidural anesthesia may reduce delirium by improving analgesia, reducing opioid consumption, and blunting stress response to surgery. This trial therefore tested the hypothesis that combined epidural–general anesthesia reduces the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients recovering from major noncardiac surgery.

Methods

Patients aged 60 to 90 yr scheduled for major noncardiac thoracic or abdominal surgeries expected to last 2 h or more were enrolled. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either combined epidural–general anesthesia with postoperative epidural analgesia or general anesthesia with postoperative intravenous analgesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium, which was assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit twice daily during the initial 7 postoperative days.

Results

Between November 2011 and May 2015, 1,802 patients were randomized to combined epidural–general anesthesia (n = 901) or general anesthesia alone (n = 901). Among these, 1,720 patients (mean age, 70 yr; 35% women) completed the study and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Delirium was significantly less common in the combined epidural–general anesthesia group (15 [1.8%] of 857 patients) than in the general anesthesia group (43 [5.0%] of 863 patients; relative risk, 0.351; 95% CI, 0.197 to 0.627; P < 0.001; number needed to treat 31). Intraoperative hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 80 mmHg) was more common in patients assigned to epidural anesthesia (421 [49%] vs. 288 [33%]; relative risk, 1.47, 95% CI, 1.31 to 1.65; P < 0.001), and more epidural patients were given vasopressors (495 [58%] vs. 387 [45%]; relative risk, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.41; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Older patients randomized to combined epidural-general anesthesia for major thoracic and abdominal surgeries had one third as much delirium but 50% more hypotension. Clinicians should consider combining epidural and general anesthesia in patients at risk of postoperative delirium, and avoiding the combination in patients at risk of hypotension.

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What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
Pectoral Nerve Blocks for Breast Augmentation Surgery: A Randomized, Double-blind, Dual-centered Controlled Trial
Authors: Aarab Yassir , Ramin Severin , Odonnat Thomas , Garnier Océane , Boissin Audrey , Molinari Nicolas , Marin Grégory , Perrigault Pierre-Francois , Cuvillon Philippe , Chanques Gérald
Published: July 2021

Background

Pectoral nerve blocks have been proposed for analgesia during and after breast cancer surgery, but data are conflicted in aesthetic breast surgery. This trial tested the primary hypothesis that adding a preincisional pectoral nerve block is superior to systemic multimodal analgesic regimen alone for pain control after breast augmentation surgery. A second hypothesis is that rescue opioid consumption would be decreased with a long-lasting effect for both outcomes during the following days.

Methods

Seventy-three adult female patients undergoing aesthetic breast augmentation surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive a pectoral nerve block versus no block. Both groups received standard care with protocolized multimodal analgesia alone including systematic acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The primary outcome measure was the maximal numerical rating scale in the first 6 h after extubation. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative remifentanil consumption and from extubation to day 5: maximal numerical rating scale, postoperative cumulative opioid consumption and postoperative opioid side effects, and patient satisfaction recorded at day 5.

Results

The maximal numerical rating scale score in the first 6 h was lower in the pectoral nerve block group compared with the control group (3.9 ± 2.5 vs. 5.2 ± 2.2; difference: –1.2 [95% CI, –2.3 to –0.1]; P = 0.036). The pectoral nerve block group had a lower maximal numerical rating scale between days 1 and 5 (2.2 ± 1.9 vs. 3.2 ± 1.7; P = 0.032). The cumulative amount of overall opioids consumption (oral morphine equivalent) was lower for the pectoral nerve block group from hour 6 to day 1 (0.0 [0.0 to 21.0] vs. 21.0 [0.0 to 31.5] mg, P = 0.006) and from days 1 to 5 (0.0 [0.0 to 21.0] vs. 21.0 [0.0 to 51] mg, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Pectoral nerve block in conjunction with multimodal analgesia provides effective perioperative pain relief after aesthetic breast surgery and is associated with reduced opioid consumption over the first 5 postoperative days.

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What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
A rat model to investigate quality of recovery after abdominal surgery
Authors: Cata Juan P. , Patiño Miguel , Lacagnina Michael J. , Li Jiahe , Gorur Aysegul , Agudelo-Jimenez Ruben , Wei Bo , Hagberg Carin A. , Dougherty Patrick M. , Shureiqi Imad , Yang Peiying , Grace Peter M.
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

Major advances in therapies to optimize recovery after surgery have been limited by the lack of an animal model that can mimic major domains of postoperative sickness behavior in humans. We hypothesized that the integration of commonly impaired domains of quality of recovery in humans could be reproduced in a rat model.

Objectives:

To create a rat model that can mimic surgical recovery in humans.

Methods:

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the development of a quality of recovery score after surgery. Six physiological parameters or behaviors were tested in naive, sham, and laparotomized animals. A quality of recovery score was constructed and ranged from 18 (no impairment) to 0 (gross impairment). We treated animals with a nutraceutical intervention consisting of aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid. Inflammatory markers and specialized proresolving mediators were measured in serum and the intestinal mucosa of rats, respectively.

Results:

We observed a significant reduction in quality of recovery scores on postoperative days 1 (median, interquartile: 6 [4.75–8.25] vs naive rats: 17.5 [15.5–18]), 2 (median, interquartile: 13 [11.25–13.25], P < 0.001 vs naive rats: 17 [17–18], P = 0.001), and 3 (median, interquartile: 14.5 [13.5–16] vs naive rats: 17 [15.75–18], P < 0.02). Surgery promoted a significant increase in the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, but it reduced levels of interleukin-12p70 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Lipoxin B4 and 13-HODE were significantly higher in laparotomized rats. Aspirin + eicosapentaenoic acid substantially improved recovery scores and modulated the postsurgical inflammatory response.

Conclusion:

Our novel rat model can be used to study mechanisms governing surgical recovery in rats.
ALC1 links chromatin accessibility to PARP inhibitor response in homologous recombination deficient cells
Authors: Verma Priyanka , Zhou Yeqiao , Cao Zhendong , Deraska Peter V. , Deb Moniher , Arai Eri , Li Weihua , Shao Yue , Li Yiwen , Puentes Laura , Patankar Sonali , Mach Robert H. , Faryabi Robert B. , Shi Junwei , Greenberg Roger A.
Published: July 2021

The response to Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) is dictated by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair mechanisms and the abundance of lesions that trap PARP enzymes on chromatin. It remains unclear, however, if the established role of PARP in promoting chromatin accessibility impacts viability in these settings. Using a CRISPR based screen, we identify the PAR-binding Snf2-like ATPase, ALC1/CHD1L, as a key determinant of PARPi toxicity in HR-deficient cells. ALC1 loss reduced viability of BRCA mutant cells and enhanced their sensitivity to PARPi by up to 250-fold, while overcoming several known resistance mechanisms. ALC1 loss was not epistatic to other repair pathways that execute the PARPi response. Instead, ALC1 deficiency reduced chromatin accessibility concomitant with a decrease in the association of repair factors. This resulted in an accumulation of replication associated DNA damage and a reliance on HR. These findings establish PAR-dependent chromatin remodeling as a mechanistically distinct aspect of PARPi responses, implicating ALC1 inhibition as a new approach to overcome therapeutic resistance in HR-deficient cancers.
Use of autologous platelet derivatives for secondary alveoloplasty in patients with cleft lip and palate: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Campolo Andrés , Heider Claudia , Cañete Ismael , Verdugo María Francisca , Jeria Rocio Bravo , Morovic Carmen Gloria , Rada Gabriel
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess the effectiveness and safety of autologous platelet derivatives, specifically platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), for secondary alveoloplasty in patients with cleft lip and palate.

Eligibility criteria

We will include randomized trials evaluating the effect of autologous platelet derivatives on newly bone formed after secondary alveoloplasty in cleft lip and palate patients. Two reviewers will independently screen each study for eligibility, data extraction, and bias assessment using the Cochrane “risk of bias “tool. We will pool the results using meta-analysis and apply the GRADE system to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome.

Data sources

A comprehensive search will include all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the ongoing investigation reported in specialty congresses and trials regardless of language or publication status (published, unpublished, in press, and progress). We will conduct searches in the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PUBMED, Embase, and LILACS. We will screen trial registries and other sources in order to identify articles that might have been missed in the electronic searches.

Ethics and dissemination

As researchers will not access information that could identify an individual participant, obtaining ethical approval was waived.
Recovery of serum testosterone levels is an accurate predictor of survival from COVID-19 in male patients
Authors: Toscano-Guerra Emily , Gallo Mónica Martínez , Arrese-Muñoz Iria , Giné Anna , Díaz Noelia , Gabriel-Medina Pablo , Riveiro-Barciela Mar , Labrador-Horrillo Moisés , Martinez-Valle Fernando , Hernández-González Manuel , Borrell Ricardo Pujol , Rodríguez-Frias Francisco , Ferrer Roser , Thomson Timothy M. , Paciucci Rosanna
Published: July 2021

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 portends a broad range of outcomes, from a majority of asymptomatic cases or mild clinical courses to a lethal disease. Robust correlates of severe COVID-19 include old age, male sex, poverty and co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. A precise knowledge is still lacking of the molecular and biological mechanisms that may explain the association of severe disease with male sex. Here, we show that testosterone trajectories are highly accurate individual predictors (AUC of ROC = 0.928, p < 0.0001) of survival in male COVID-19 patients. Longitudinal determinations of blood levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and androstenedione suggest an early modest inhibition of the central LH-androgen biosynthesis axis in a majority of patients, followed by either full recovery in survivors or a peripheral failure in lethal cases. Moreover, failure to reinstate physiological testosterone levels was associated with evidence of impaired T helper differentiation and decrease of non-classical monocytes. The strong association of recovery or failure to reinstate testosterone levels with survival or death from COVID-19 in male patients is suggestive of a significant role of testosterone status in the immune responses to COVID-19.
Establishment of Strigolactone-Producing Bacterium-Yeast Consortium
Authors: Wu Sheng , Ma Xiaoqiang , Zhou Anqi , Valenzuela Alex , Zhou Kang , Li Yanran
Published: July 2021

Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of phytohormones playing diverse roles in plant growth and development, yet the limited access to SLs is largely impeding SL-based foundational investigations and applications. Here, we developedEscherichia coli-Saccharomyces cerevisiaeconsortia to establish a microbial biosynthetic platform for the synthesis of various SLs, including carlactone, carlactonic acid, 5-deoxystrigol (5DS, 6.65±1.71 µg/L), 4-deoxyorobanchol (4DO, 3.46±0.28 µg/L), and orobanchol (OB, 19.36±5.20 µg/L). The SL-producing platform enabled us to conduct functional identification of CYP722Cs from various plants as either OB or 5DS synthase. It also allowed us to quantitatively compare known variants of plant SL biosynthetic enzymes in the microbial system. The titer of 5DS was further enhanced through pathway engineering to 47.3 µg/L. This work provides a unique platform for investigating SL biosynthesis and evolution and lays the foundation for developing SL microbial production process.
Synaptotagmin 2 is ectopically overexpressed in excitatory presynapses of a widely used CaMKIIα-Cre mouse line
Authors: Matsuura Ken , Mohamed Haytham Mohamed Aly , Youssef Mohieldin Magdy Mahmoud , Yamamoto Tadashi
Published: July 2021

The CaMKIIα-Cre mouse line, one of the earliest established Cre driver lines, has resulted in over 800 papers to date. Here, we demonstrate that the second most widely used CaMKIIα-Cre line, Tg(Camk2a-cre)2Gsc (or CamiCre), shows ectopic overexpression of synaptotagmin 2, the most efficient Ca2+ sensor for fast synchronous neurotransmitter release, in excitatory presynapses of Cre+ brains. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis showed aberrant expression in Cre+ hippocampus, including upregulation of immediate early genes, such as Arc and Fos, and genes presumably derived from bacterial artificial chromosome transgene, such as Slc6a7. Most importantly, CamiCre+ mice showed functional phenotypes, such as hyperactivity and enhanced associative learning, suggesting neural activities are affected. These unexpected results suggest difficulties in interpreting results from studies using the CamiCre line and raise awareness of potential pitfalls in the use of Cre driver lines in general.
BOLD fMRI signals of visual white matter encode visuotopic information and predict effective connectivity between visual areas
Authors: Wang Huan , Wang Xiaoxiao , Wang Yanming , Zhang Du , Zhou Yifeng , Qiu Bensheng , Zhang Peng
Published: July 2021

The functional significance of BOLD signals in white matter (WM) remains unclear. The current study investigated whether 7T BOLD fMRI signal from visual WM tracts contains high fidelity retinotopic information and whether it correlates with the effective connectivity between visual areas. Population receptive field (pRF) analysis of the 7T retinotopy dataset from the Human Connectome Project revealed clear contralateral retinotopic representations from two visual WM bundles: optic radiation (OR) and vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF). The retinotopic organization of OR is consistent with post-mortem studies. The pRF size of WM voxels also increases with eccentricity. Based on the retinotopic maps of OR, we investigated whether BOLD signals in OR during visual stimulation are related to the resting-state effective connectivity between the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the primary visual cortex (V1). Results show that visually-evoked BOLD responses in OR correlate with the feedforward and feedback connectivity between the LGN and V1 during resting state. These findings demonstrate that WM BOLD signals contain high fidelity information such as visual field maps, and also predict the functional connectivity of brain areas.

Significance statement

White matter (WM) tracks conduct spiking activity between distant neurons. Weak fluctuations of BOLD signals in the WM can be detected with fMRI, but their functional relevance remains largely unknown. Here we characterized the visual field map properties of two major visual WM bundles: the optic radiation (OR) and vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF). Population receptive field analysis of the WM BOLD signals revealed clear visual field maps in both WM tracts. Effective connectivity analysis further showed that visually evoked BOLD responses in OR can predict the resting thalamo-cortical functional connectivity. These findings demonstrate that WM BOLD signals contain highly specific functional information and could directly index the functional connectivity between brain areas.
Phosphorylation regulates arginine-rich RNA-binding protein solubility and oligomerization
Authors: Kundinger Sean R. , Dammer Eric B. , Yin Luming , Hurst Cheyenne , Ping Lingyan , Duong Duc M. , Seyfried Nicholas T.
Published: July 2021

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) within splicing factor RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), such as phosphorylation, regulate several critical steps in RNA metabolism including spliceosome assembly, alternative splicing and mRNA export. Notably, the arginine-/serine-rich (RS) domains in SR proteins are densely modified by phosphorylation compared with the remainder of the proteome. Previously, we showed that dephosphorylation of SRSF2 regulated increased interactions with similar arginine-rich RBPs U1-70K and LUC7L3. In this work, we dephosphorylated nuclear extracts using phosphatase in vitro and analyzed equal amounts of detergent-soluble and -insoluble fractions by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Correlation network analysis resolved 27 distinct modules of differentially soluble nucleoplasm proteins. We found classes of arginine-rich RBPs that decrease in solubility following dephosphorylation and enrich to the insoluble pelleted fraction, including the SR protein family and the SR-like LUC7L RBP family. Importantly, increased insolubility was not observed across broad classes of RBPs. Phosphorylation regulated SRSF2 structure, as dephosphorylated SRSF2 formed high molecular weight oligomeric species in vitro. Reciprocally, phosphorylation of SRSF2 by serine-/arginine protein kinase 2 (SRPK2) in vitro prevented high molecular weight SRSF2 species formation. Furthermore, we pharmacologically inhibited SRPKs in mammalian cells and observed increased cytoplasmic granules as well as the formation of cytoplasmic SRSF2 tubular structures that associate with microtubules by immunocytochemical staining. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that phosphorylation may be a critical modification that prevents arginine-rich RBP insolubility and oligomerization.
Monitoring the effects of chemical stimuli on live cells with metasurface-enhanced infrared reflection spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Steven H. , Li Jiaruo , Fan Zhiyuan , Delgado Robert , Shvets Gennady
Published: July 2021

Infrared spectroscopy has found wide applications in the analysis of biological materials. A more recent development is the use of engineered nanostructures – plasmonic metasurfaces – as substrates for metasurface-enhanced infrared reflection spectroscopy (MEIRS). Here, we demonstrate that strong field enhancement from plasmonic metasurfaces enables the use of MEIRS as a highly informative analytic technique for real-time monitoring of cells. By exposing live cells cultured on a plasmonic metasurface to chemical compounds, we show that MEIRS can be used as a label-free phenotypic assay for detecting multiple cellular responses to external stimuli: changes in cell morphology, adhesion, lipid composition of the cellular membrane, as well as intracellular signaling. Using a focal plane array detection system, we show that MEIRS also enables spectro-chemical imaging at the single-cell level. The described metasurface-based all-optical sensor opens the way to a scalable, high-throughput spectroscopic assay for live cells.
Southern Blotting
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: July 2021

In Southern blotting, DNA is digested with one or more restriction enzymes, and the resulting fragments are separated according to size by electrophoresis through a standard agarose gel. The DNA is then denatured in situ and transferred from the gel to a solid support (usually a nylon or nitrocellulose membrane). The relative positions of the DNA fragments are preserved during their transfer to the membrane. The DNA is then fixed to the membrane and prepared for hybridization. Alternatively, DNA can be simultaneously transferred from the top and bottom surfaces of a single agarose gel to two membranes. This procedure is useful when the need arises to analyze the same set of restriction fragments with two different probes. Transfer of DNA fragments is rapid, but the efficiency is low because the agarose gel quickly becomes dehydrated as fluid is withdrawn from both sides. The method therefore works best when the target sequences are present in high concentration (e.g., when analyzing cloned DNAs [plasmids, bacteriophages, cosmids, PACs, or BACs] or less complex genomes [those of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Drosophila]). Too little mammalian genomic DNA is transferred to allow signals from single-copy sequences to be detected in a reproducible or timely fashion.
Factors driving Thailand rice farmer decision-making in the choice of marketing channel
Authors: Thamthanakoon Nithicha , Huang Iona Yuelu , Eastham Jane , Ward Shane , Manning Louise
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Since the end of the latest rice-pledging scheme, Thai rice farmers have had more freedom in selecting marketing channels. Understanding the determinants of farmers' decision-making associated with these channels is of particular interest to multiple stakeholders in the rice value chain. This study aims to examine how economic, relational and psychological factors concurrently underpin Thai rice farmers' decision-making and influence their marketing channel choice.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theory of reasoned action and utility maximization of farmers’ decision making, this study used structural equation modeling to examine data collected from a nationwide sample of Thai rice farmers (n = 637), focusing on their past and intentional use of the three major marketing channels for paddy rice.

Findings

The determinants identified include four direct independent variables: attitude, subjective norm (social referents), transaction conditions and economic goals, and two indirect independent variables: past behavior and trust. Multi-group analysis suggests that rice co-operative users were more empowered to consider economic goals and attitude toward the channel, whilst rice miller and local collector users were more likely to be influenced by their social referents and the transaction conditions offered by the channel.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the need for policy to address trust and transparency issues with intermediaries and to empower farmers through the improvement of market access.

Originality/value

The study makes a unique and substantive contribution to the knowledge of farmers' decision-making about marketing channel choice in Thailand and theoretically contributes to the indirect role of past behavior in predicting prospective intention.
Does organizational cronyism undermine social capital? Testing the mediating role of workplace ostracism and the moderating role of workplace incivility
Authors: Jawahar I.M. , Bilal Ahmad Raza , Fatima Tehreem , Mohammed Zach J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to test the mediating influence of workplace ostracism in the relationship between organizational cronyism and social capital. In addition, the authors posited that workplace incivility would interact with cronyism to directly influence social capital, and indirectly through its effect on workplace ostracism.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected in four waves, with a time interval of six weeks between each wave, from 358 university faculty members, the authors used the PROCESS macro to test the proposed moderated mediation model.

Findings

Results indicated that workplace ostracism mediates the influence of organizational cronyism on social capital, and that workplace incivility interacts with cronyism to influence social capital directly, and indirectly through its effect on workplace ostracism.

Originality/value

Most studies of social capital are theoretical. The few empirical studies have focused on factors that contribute to social capital and virtually no research exists on factors that undermine social capital. Based on the premise that negative interpersonal relationships are far more powerful in explaining outcomes relative to positive interpersonal relations and the notion that “bad is stronger than good,” the authors draw on social exchange theory and the norm of negative reciprocity to test a moderated mediation model and identify a mechanism and the condition under which social capital is undermined. The results have important implications for theory, research and practice.
Is Baidu index really powerful to predict the Chinese stock market volatility? New evidence from the internet information
Authors: Lang Qiaoqi , Wang Jiqian , Ma Feng , Huang Dengshi , Mohamed Ismail Mohamed Wahab
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper verifies whether popular Internet information from Internet forum and search engine exhibit useful content for forecasting the volatility in Chinese stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors’ study commences with several HAR-RV-type models, then the study amplifies them respectively with the posting volume and search frequency to construct HAR-IF-type and HAR-BD-type models. Second, from in-sample and out-of-sample analysis, the authors empirically investigate the interpretive ability, forecasting performance (statistic and economic). Third, various robustness checks are utilized to reconfirm the authors’ findings, including alternative forecast window, alternative evaluation method and alternative stock market. Finally, the authors further discuss the forecasting performance in different forecast horizons (h = 5, 10 and 20) and asymmetric effect of information from Internet forum.

Findings

From in-sample perspective, the authors discover that posting volume exhibits better analytical ability for Chinese stock volatility than search frequency. Out-of-sample results indicate that forecasting models with posting volume could achieve a superior forecasting performance and increased economic value than competing models.

Practical implications

These findings can help investors and decision-makers obtain higher forecasting accuracy and economic gains.

Originality/value

This study enriches the existing research findings about the volatility forecasting of stock market from two dimensions. First, the authors thoroughly investigate whether the Internet information could enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the volatility forecasting concerning with the Chinese stock market. Second, the authors find a novel evidence that the information from Internet forum is more superior to search frequency in volatility forecasting of stock market. Third, they find that this study not only compares the predictability of the posting volume and search frequency simply, but it also divides the posting volume into “good” and “bad” segments to clarify its asymmetric effect respectively.

Highlights

This study aims to verify whether posting volume and search frequency contain predictive content for estimating the volatility in Chinese stock market.

The forecasting model with posting volume can achieve a superior forecasting performance and increases economic value than competing models.

The results are robust in alternative forecast window, alternative evaluation method and alternative market index.

The posting volume still can help to forecast future volatility for mid- and long-term forecast horizons. Additionally, the role of posting volume in forecasting Chinese stock volatility is asymmetric.
Multifunctional modified cotton fabric by one-step process using eco-friendly phytic acid and 1, 2, 3, 4-butanetetracarboxylic acid
Authors: Fang Yinchun , Liu Xinhua , Liu Hailong , Wang Qian
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Cotton is one of the most common nature textile fiber that is widely used in clothing, bedding and decorative fields due to its comfort. However, the cellulosic cotton fiber has its own drawbacks. Cotton fiber belongs to flammable material with the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value about 18% that restricts its applications. Cotton fiber is easy to crease during the repeat wearing and laundering process that will influence the wearability. Therefore, it is very important to improve the flame retardancy and anticrease performance of cotton fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, flame retardant and anticrease multifunctional modifications of cotton fabric were conducted by one-step pad–dry–cure process using eco-friendly phytic acid and 1, 2, 3, 4-butanetetracarboxylic acid.

Findings

The results of limited oxygen index (LOI) values and vertical burning test indicate that the flame retardancy of modified cotton fabric was greatly improved. The LOI value of modified cotton fabric reached 30.8% when the usage of phytic acid was 12%. The crease recovery angle was over 250° of the modified cotton fabric revealing good anticrease performance.

Originality/value

This research provides a novel feasible cost-effective one-step method for the multifunctional modified cellulosic fiber using eco-friendly chemical agents.
The impacts of income inequality on the gross domestic product under direct taxation: evidence from emerging market economies
Authors: Yıldırım Ahmet Eren , Dibo Mete
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study analyzes the impacts of income inequality after direct taxation on the gross domestic product as a fiscal policy tool in the development process.

Design/methodology/approach

The model of the study is based on Munielo-Gallo and Roca-Sagales (2013), which examined the fiscal policy, income inequality and economic growth simultaneously. The study uses two models to analyze the relationship between income inequality and gross domestic production under direct taxation by employing autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for selected emerging market economies.

Finding

Empirical results reveal a negative long-run relationship between variables in some countries in line with the literature, despite a positive relationship in others. Moreover, the results exhibit the negative impact of income inequality after direct taxation on the gross domestic product decreases.

Originality/value

Results of the study highlight the importance of direct taxation on income inequality concerning the reflects on economic growth. It suggests that when the income distribution is fairer, it may positively affect the gross domestic product. The study provides a new perspective to the related literature by investigating the role of income inequality under direct taxation for gross domestic product.
More and better video evidence for police investigations of shootings: Chicago's area technology centers
Authors: Cook Philip J. , Berglund Anthony
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the creation, implementation, activities and rationale for the Area Technology Centers (ATCs), an innovation adopted by the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD’s) Bureau of Detectives (BoD) in 2019 for the purpose of supporting investigations of crimes of serious violence by deploying specialized teams of officers to gather and process video and digital evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study utilizes historical information and descriptive data generated by a record-keeping system adopted by the ATCs.

Findings

The ATCs were developed as a collaboration between the CPD and the University of Chicago Crime Lab (a research center). The start-up was funded by a gift from the Griffin Foundation. Detectives have made extensive use of the services provided by the ATCs from the beginning, with the result that homicide and shooting investigations now have access to more video and digital evidence that has been processed by state-of-the-art equipment. The CPD has assumed budget responsibility for the ATCs, which is an indication of their success. The ATC teams have been assembled by voluntary transfers by sworn officers, together with an embedded analyst from the University of Chicago.

Practical implications

The ATC model could be adopted by other large police departments. The study finds that ATCs can be effectively staffed by redeploying and training existing staff and that their operation does not require a budget increase.

Social implications

By arguably making police investigations of shooting cases more efficient, the ATCs have the potential to increase the clearance rate and thereby prevent future gun violence.

Originality/value

The ATCs are a novel response to the challenges of securing and making good use of video and digital evidence in police investigations.
Forest thinning in the seaward fringe speeds up surface elevation increment and carbon accumulation in managed mangrove forests
Authors: Chen Luzhen , Lin Qiulian , Krauss Ken W. , Zhang Yun , Cormier Nicole , Yang Qiong
Published: July 2021

Mangroves are significant carbon (C) sinks and ecological engineers as they accumulate sediments and increase soil surface elevation. Thus, the forest management practice of thinning may not only alter forest structure, but also facilitate new biogeomorphological processes that affect soil development. Thinning may create additional opportunity for understorey species, such as the light‐demanding Acanthus ilicifolius, to become a more prominent vegetation component of mangroves, which may further alter soil surface elevation trajectories.

Forest structure and soil surface elevation change (SEC) were monitored along transects from the landward edge (upper intertidal) to seaward fringe before and after thinning of non‐native Sonneratia apetala plantations along the seaward edge of a mangrove site in China. Soil C accumulation was also evaluated.

Acanthus individuals colonized the forest gaps created by Sonneratia thinning in the seaward forest edge of the intertidal zones. In the absence of other pioneer species or other mangrove propagules/seeds, Acanthus pioneers occupied the areas rapidly (from 33.6 to 72.6 stems/m2), and were successful opportunists.

Newly colonizing Acanthus vegetation significantly increased SEC from 25.1 mm/year before Sonneratia was thinned to 46.5 mm/year after thinning‐induced Acanthus occupation. Furthermore, Acanthus occupation enhanced soil C accumulation at the seaward edge to 49.9 MgC ha−1 year−1; a rate twofold higher than in the Sonneratia plantation before thinning.

Synthesis and applications. Prolific Acanthus growth formed small elevation mounds on the seaward forest edge, which was suspected as a positive effect induced by thinning Sonneratia plantations that further facilitated colonization of Acanthus clones. Thinning non‐native Sonneratia disturbed the established zonation, altered SEC, and is facilitating further succession of these mangrove forests into un‐occupied aquatic areas. Higher elevations created by Acanthus expansion (vertically and horizontally) may further promote a greater percentage of landward edge mangrove species to colonize at these more favourable intertidal elevations yielding at least short‐term gains in soil carbon accumulation by altering ecosystem function. Silvicultural activity should consider unintended influences on sedimentation patterns both in situ and in adjacent habitats in tidal forests, where small elevation changes affect mangrove species habitat preferences.
New insights into the diversity and evolution of the archaeal mobilome from three complete genomes of Saccharolobus shibatae
Authors: Medvedeva Sofia , Brandt David , Cvirkaite‐Krupovic Virginija , Liu Ying , Severinov Konstantin , Ishino Sonoko , Ishino Yoshizumi , Prangishvili David , Kalinowski Jörn , Krupovic Mart
Published: July 2021

Saccharolobus (formerly Sulfolobus) shibatae B12, isolated from a hot spring in Beppu, Japan in 1982, is one of the first hyperthermophilic and acidophilic archaeal species to be discovered. It serves as a natural host to the extensively studied spindle‐shaped virus SSV1, a prototype of the Fuselloviridae family. Two additional Sa. shibatae strains, BEU9 and S38A, sensitive to viruses of the families Lipothrixviridae and Portogloboviridae, respectively, have been isolated more recently. However, none of the strains has been fully sequenced, limiting their utility for studies on archaeal biology and virus–host interactions. Here, we present the complete genome sequences of all three Sa. shibatae strains and explore the rich diversity of their integrated mobile genetic elements (MGE), including transposable insertion sequences, integrative and conjugative elements, plasmids, and viruses, some of which were also detected in the extrachromosomal form. Analysis of related MGEs in other Sulfolobales species and patterns of CRISPR spacer targeting revealed a complex network of MGE distributions, involving horizontal spread and relatively frequent host switching by MGEs over large phylogenetic distances, involving species of the genera Saccharolobus, Sulfurisphaera and Acidianus. Furthermore, we characterize a remarkable case of a virus‐to‐plasmid transition, whereby a fusellovirus has lost the genes encoding for the capsid proteins, while retaining the replication module, effectively becoming a plasmid.
Iron corrosion by methanogenic archaea characterized by stable isotope effects and crust mineralogy
Authors: Tamisier Marc , Schmidt Matthias , Vogt Carsten , Kümmel Steffen , Stryhanyuk Hryhoriy , Musat Niculina , Richnow Hans‐Hermann , Musat Florin
Published: July 2021

Carbon and hydrogen stable isotope effects associated with methane formation by the corrosive archaeon Methanobacterium strain IM1 were determined during growth with hydrogen and iron. Isotope analyses were complemented by structural, elemental and molecular composition analyses of corrosion crusts. During growth with H2, strain IM1 formed methane with average δ13C of −43.5‰ and δ2H of −370‰. Corrosive growth led to methane more depleted in 13C, with average δ13C ranging from −56‰ to −64‰ during the early and the late growth phase respectively. The corresponding δ2H were less impacted by the growth phase, with average values ranging from −316 to −329‰. The stable isotope fractionation factors, , were 1.026 and 1.042 for hydrogenotrophic and corrosive growth respectively. Corrosion crusts formed by strain IM1 have a domed structure, appeared electrically conductive and were composed of siderite, calcite and iron sulfide, the latter formed by precipitation of sulfide (from culture medium) with ferrous iron generated during corrosion. Strain IM1 cells were found attached to crust surfaces and encrusted deep inside crust domes. Our results may assist to diagnose methanogens‐induced corrosion in the field and suggest that intrusion of sulfide in anoxic settings may stimulate corrosion by methanogenic archaea via formation of semiconductive crusts.
Managing the Crisis: How COVID‐19 Demands Interact with Agile Project Management in Predicting Employee Exhaustion
Authors: Koch Jan , Schermuly Carsten C.
Published: July 2021

As a global pandemic, COVID‐19 impacts work‐related processes, placing strain upon many employees in project teams. Identifying process variables and potential organizational resources can play an important role in addressing employee mental health, both for the current pandemic and future crises. Based on an extension of the job demands–resources model, this paper introduces COVID‐19 demands as distal job demands, examining their influence on emotional exhaustion through proximal unfinished tasks. Furthermore, we suggest that agile project management acts as a buffering job resource in this relationship. In two studies, we drew samples from Germany (N = 168) and the USA (N = 292). Across studies, COVID‐19 demands had an indirect effect on emotional exhaustion, mediated by unfinished tasks. Furthermore, agile project management acts as a buffering job resource for individuals in Germany, attenuating the relationship between COVID‐19 demands, unfinished tasks and subsequent feelings of emotional exhaustion. In contrast, findings from Study 2 revealed that COVID‐19 demands were more strongly related to unfinished tasks and subsequent feelings of emotional exhaustion in the USA when individuals reported higher levels of agile project management. Taken together, our results indicate that project work under COVID‐19 fosters feelings of emotional exhaustion through the accumulation of unfinished tasks.
Between vulnerability and resilience: A contextualist picture of protective epistemic character traits
Authors: Monypenny Alice
Published: July 2021

In this paper, I argue that focusing on resilience education fails to appropriately reflect the socio-political nature of character. I define protective epistemic character traits (PECTs) as epistemic character traits which aid students in avoiding, limiting or mitigating harm in the classroom. I argue that the relationship between epistemic character and protection in hostile classrooms is importantly influenced by context in two main ways: (1) the exercise and development of some PECTs may carry significant cost for some students, and (2) social and developmental factors may promote or obstruct the development of virtuous PECTs for individual students. I employ two principles from Ian James Kidd's critical character epistemology—aetiological sensitivity and normative contextualism—and propose a revised approach to resilience education. I argue that this revision requires an increased focus on changing underlying structures of oppression and cautions against teaching a standardised list of epistemic virtues.
Learned ignorance: Opposing the scientificising hegemony through Santos, Pope and Hamilton
Authors: Jessop Ralph
Published: July 2021

A major strand of opposition to the West's/Global North's scientificising hegemony has recently been retrieved through Santos’ reinterpretation of Cusanus’ 15th-century doctrine of learned ignorance. Though Cusanus has been marginalised, his doctrine imbues a profound epistemic humility conducive to our present need to reconfigure education. Contributing to this retrieval, I define learned ignorance as an epistemic principle of humility, adherence to which conduces towards reconditioning learning and teaching as non-finalised, processual activities within a genuinely intercultural pluriverse of knowledges. Agreeing with Santos’ marginalisation thesis and his advocacy of recovering similarly silenced voices from within Western discourse, I argue that learned ignorance in some works of English literature and philosophy has also been marginalised. One of the most famous lines from Pope—‘A little Learningis a dang'rous Thing’—has been widely misunderstood through failing to recognise the poem's learned ignorance elements. My reinterpretation of Pope suggests a possibly more extensive literary form of opposition to the scientificisation of knowledge. I also examine another marginalised, educationally significant retrieval of learned ignorance by Hamilton. His learned ignorance standpoint fundamentally opposes the scientificisation and instrumentalisation of knowledge and learning. The discussion identifies the counterhegemonic status of this epistemic principle of humility and intimates its paradigm-shifting opportunities through some brief closing suggestions concerning how learned ignorance enriches Freire's emphases on the importance of ‘love, humility and faith’ as essential to the ‘horizontal relationship’ between teacher and student of an educational dialogue founded on trust.
Comprehensive review of water management and wastewater treatment in food processing industries in the framework of water‐food‐environment nexus
Authors: Asgharnejad Hashem , Khorshidi Nazloo Ehsan , Madani Larijani Maryam , Hajinajaf Nima , Rashidi Hamidreza
Published: July 2021

Food processing is among the greatest water‐consuming industries with a significant role in the implementation of sustainable development goals. Water‐consuming industries such as food processing have become a threat to limited freshwater resources, and numerous attempts are being carried out in order to develop and apply novel approaches for water management in these industries. Studies have shown the positive impact of the new methods of process integration (e.g., water pinch, mathematical optimization, etc.) in maximizing water reuse and recycle. Applying these methods in food processing industries not only significantly supported water consumption minimization but also contributed to environmental protection by reducing wastewater generation. The methods can also increase the productivity of these industries and direct them to sustainable production. This interconnection led to a new subcategory in nexus studies known as water‐food‐environment nexus. The nexus assures sustainable food production with minimum freshwater consumption and minimizes the environmental destructions caused by untreated wastewater discharge. The aim of this study was to provide a thorough review of water‐food‐environment nexus application in food processing industries and explore the nexus from different aspects. The current study explored the process of food industries in different sectors regarding water consumption and wastewater generation, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The most recent wastewater treatment methods carried out in different food processing sectors were also reviewed. This review provided a comprehensive literature for choosing the optimum scenario of water and wastewater management in food processing industries.
The parasitoid Closterocerus chamaeleon has a greater development and survival rate than of its hosts, the Eucalyptus gall wasps Ophelimus eucalypti and Ophelimus maskelli in Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Hanjelina Br Sinulingga Nike Grace , Tarigan Marthin , de Souza Tavares Wagner , Ansor Khairul , Pasaribu Irfan , Koda Kkadan Srikumar , Angaini Panjaitan Ria , Dewi Puspita Kinanti , Israel Muro Abad Jupiter , Duran Alvaro
Published: July 2021

Ophelimus eucalypti and Ophelimus maskelli are gall wasps that are considered as a threat to the large Eucalyptus commercial plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia. However, they are partially suppressed by parasitoids including Closterocerus chamaeleon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity and daily survival rate of O. eucalypti, O. maskelli and C. chamaeleon adults when receiving or not receiving food sources and also when reared in four different vial types under two environments (one environmentally controlled and another ambient), in a laboratory in Riau, Sumatra. The rearing test of C. chamaeleon as a biocontrol agent would be used for augmentative releases. We also evaluated the duration of the stages and the complete lifespan (egg → larva → pupa → adult) of O. eucalypti in a greenhouse in Porsea, North Sumatra, Indonesia, where this species is aggressive. With few exceptions, the longevity and survival rate of O. eucalypti, O. maskelli and C. chamaeleon adults was similar between the two conditions. The longevity and survival of C. chamaeleon were much greater than those of its gall wasp hosts, and of O. eucalypti greater than that of O. maskelli. Overall, these parameters were greater for gall wasps and the parasitoid reared in the larger vial types. The food source provided to O. maskelli adults did not however benefit the longevity of this gall wasp in the best tube type. The lifespan of O. eucalypti (mean ± SD of the mean) was 44 ± 6 days in a greenhouse. The much greater longevity and survival rate of C. chamaeleon than those of its hosts are facts that trigger the success of this insect as a gall wasp parasitoid. The higher longevity and survival of O. eucalypti compared to O. maskelli contribute to the higher threat status of O. eucalypti to Eucalyptus.