bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smartness and thinking infrastructure: an exploration of a city becoming smart
Authors: Träskman Tomas
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper explores the emergence of smart city governance with a particular focus on the cognitive value of the new technologies and the different accountabilities emerging in the digital infrastructures attempting to visualize and rationalize urban dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on ethnographic, netnographic and interview data from an empirical case study of the Smart and Wise City Turku spearhead project, the study builds on the assumption that smart cities emerge from the interaction between the characteristics of technologies, constellations of actors and contextual conditions.

Findings

The results report smart city activities as an organizational process and a reconfiguration that incorporates new technology with old infrastructure. Through the lens of the empirical examples, we are able to show how smart city actors, boundaries and infrastructures are mobilized, become valuable and are rendered visible. The smart cities infrastructure traces, values and governs actors, identities, objects, ideas and relations to animate new desires and feats of imagination.

Practical implications

In terms of implications to practice, the situated descriptions echo recent calls to leaders and managers to ask how much traceability is enough (Power, 2019) and limits of accountability (Messner, 2009).

Originality/value

The central theoretical concept of “thinking infrastructure” highlights how new accounting practices operate by disclosing (Kornberger et al., 2017) new worlds where the platforms and the users discover the nature of their responsibilities to the other. The contribution of this paper is that it examines what happens when smartness is understood as a thinking infrastructure. Different theorizations of infrastructure have implications for the study of smart cities. The lens helps us grasp possible tensions and consequences in terms of accountability that arise from new forms of participation in smart cities. It helps urban governance scholarship understand how smartness informs and shapes distributed and embodied cognition.
Remote learning in the context of COVID-19: reviewing the effectiveness of synchronous online delivery
Authors: Baxter Gavin , Hainey Thomas
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This article aims to explore student views from a UK higher educational institution about the concept of remote online higher educational delivery. Students were asked about opinions towards working remotely and the psychological impact this had upon students and students' studies. The research provided students with the opportunity to reflect upon whether the practice of delivering education remotely continues to provide students with a beneficial student learning experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a case study methodology utilising a mixed methods approach via questionnaire-based research. In total, 894 students completed the questionnaire. The aim of the research was to obtain a wide breadth of student opinion from multidisciplinary backgrounds to ascertain whether students' learning experience differed per subject area.

Findings

The research identified some interesting findings, namely that certain participants considered that learning remotely online was beneficial for instant feedback, supported motivation and fostered communities of practice. Negative perspectives related to feeling isolated, unmotivated and a preference towards face-to-face (F2F) delivery. One of the main areas of conflict identified from this study is that the aspect of engagement can impact students' online learning both positively and negatively.

Originality/value

The study provides an in-depth multidisciplinary student tertiary perspective relating to online remote learning. The findings from this study can be useful for educators to reflect upon and inform educational policy in relation to how best to facilitate and support the student learning experience off-campus.
Mechanical, barrier, thermal, surface hydrophobicity, optical and antibacterial properties of PBAT biopolymer after addition of natural plasticizer and silica nanoparticles
Authors: Thiyaku T. Thendral
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop active package films using clove essential oil (CEO) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) with varying weight percentages of SiO2 nanoparticles (SiO2NPs), as well as to investigate the mechanical, barrier, thermal, optical, surface hydrophobicity and antibacterial properties of PBAT incorporated with CEO as a natural plasticizer and SiO2NPs as a nanofiller.

Design/methodology/approach

PBAT-based bio-composites films were fabricated with different weight percentage of CEO (5% and 10%) and nanosilica (1% and 3%) by solution casting method. The packaging performance was investigated using universal testing machine, spectrophotometer, contact angle goniometer, oxygen and water vapour permeability tester. The antibacterial properties of PBAT-based nanocomposite and composite films were investigated using the ISO 22196 by zone of inhibition method.

Findings

The mechanical results exhibited that the addition of 10 Wt.% of CEO into PBAT increases the percentage of elongation, whereas, the addition of 3 Wt.% of SiO2NPs increases the tensile strength of the composite film. The presence of CEO in PBAT exhibits a good barrier against water permeability and SiO2NPs in the PBAT matrix help to reduce the opacity and hydrophobicity. The antimicrobial and thermal results revealed that the inclusion of 10 Wt.% of CEO and 3 Wt.% of SiO2NPs into PBAT polymer improved antimicrobial and thermal resistance properties.

Originality/value

A new PBAT-based active packaging film developed using natural plasticizers CEO and nanofiller SiO2 with a wide range of applications in the active food packaging applications. Moreover, they have good surface hydrophobicity, thermal stability, mechanical, barrier and antibacterial properties.
Waste to wealth: enhancing circularities in the Malaysian economy
Authors: Sarpong Sam , Alarussi Ali Saleh
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper focuses on Malaysia's huge waste challenges and how circular economy practices can turn that into increased and sustained economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Published official reports on the country's sustainable development initiatives, policy statements from local authorities and government agencies as well as UN bodies and other secondary materials were sourced for this article.

Findings

The paper finds that Malaysia's waste can be used in generating wealth for the country if and when a conscious effort is made towards establishing a sound circular economy in the country. It also sees enormous opportunities that exist for cooperative models of social enterprises and business innovations.

Originality/value

The paper details the numerous policies and initiatives that the Malaysian government has embarked upon in recent times and scrutinises them to decipher the direction of country's bid for sustainable development. It also carries details of what can be done to achieve circularity as well as the benefits that can accrue from that.
Building SMEs’ resilience in times of uncertainty: the role of big data analytics capability and co-innovation
Authors: Ciasullo Maria Vincenza , Montera Raffaella , Douglas Alexander
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to enhance the small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) ability to develop resilience in the face of any turbulences, addressing the question on how these organizations can maintain business continuity when faced with a critical event.

Design/methodology/approach

A mediated regression analysis is conducted to investigate the relationships among big data analytics (BDA) capabilities, coinnovation (CI) and organizational resilience (OR) with reference to 192 big data SMEs in Europe.

Findings

Research reveals that the BDA capability and CI are positively associated with OR. Moreover, this study discovers the mediating impact of CI on the relationship between BDA capability and OR.

Originality/value

This paper provides important implications for considering CI as a viable strategy especially in a time of crisis and shows how SMEs are more able to recognize business opportunities. The microfoundations of the resilience building capacity of SMEs are also identified. These microfoundations become recommendations for practitioners to enhance SMEs’ responsiveness in light of coronavirus-related crises.
Depression and anxiety in patients with heart failure: contributing factors, consequences and coping mechanisms: a review of the literature
Authors: Abu Sumaqa Yasmeen , Hayajneh Ferial A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to integrate evidence on contributing factors, consequences, in addition to coping mechanisms of depression and anxiety in patients with heart failure.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative review was conducted by searching three main electronic databases: Web of Sciences, MEDLINE and Science Direct. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review process.

Findings

The review identified the most common contributing factors, consequences and coping mechanisms of depression and anxiety in patients with heart failure. Patients with heart failure have high anxiety and depression prevalence rates.

Originality/value

It is recommended to include routine assessment and management of anxiety and depression in heart failure protocols to improve clinical outcomes.
Allergic contact stomatitis due to desensitizing toothpastes
Authors: He Wenxiu , Hu Xiaosheng , Hua Hong , Li Kaiyi , Zhang Chang , Wei Pan
Published: March 2022

Toothpastes are one of the most common personal care products among people of all ages. The various toothpaste types and their complex ingredients could cause irritation or allergic reactions. Allergic contact stomatitis has been often seen in clinical practice; however, desensitizing toothpastes as a trigger are often unrecognized. Here, we report three cases of allergic contact stomatitis due to stannous chloride‐containing desensitizing toothpastes. General dentists and other professionals should pay more attention to the safety and adverse effects of toothpastes.
High‐pressure treatment of water‐filled co‐extruded polylactide films: Effect on microstructure, barrier, thermal, and rheological properties
Authors: Ahmed Jasim , Mulla Mehrajfatema Z. , Vohra Aateka
Published: March 2022

The impact of high‐pressure treatments (450 and 600 MPa) on the morphological, thermal, structural, and barrier properties of commercial coextruded polylactide (PLA) packaging films has been explored to evaluate their applicability in food processing. Pouches filled with water as a food simulant were subjected to high‐pressure treatment for 15 min at ambient temperature. Results indicated no significant changes in the visual appearance, color, integrity, or water barrier properties of the post‐process pouches. However, high‐pressure treatment affected mechanical property results. Thermal analysis of the film showed endothermic double melting peaks (165.12 and 170.55°C), which did not change with the pressurization; however, the exothermic crystallization peak (118.08°C) varied significantly. Both SEM and AFM micrographs demonstrated that the surface morphology and roughness parameters (arithmetic mean [Sa] and root mean square height [Sq]) of the films were significantly affected by the HP treatment, which is further complemented by the FTIR spectra and XRD diffractogram. Melt rheology (175–205°C) of the pressure‐treated films showed a significant drop (20–30%) in mechanical rigidity (G′) when compared to the untreated sample. Changes in the microstructure/crystallinity in the PLA films were indicated by van Gurp and Palmen plot.

Practical Application

The results reported here can help to improve the design of the coextruded packaging materials so that it can be successfully implemented to high‐pressure processing and high pressure‐assisted thermal processing of food.
The Impact of Services FDI on Services Exports in NICs
Authors: Shah Syed Hasanat , Raza Syed Ali
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates the impact of services FDI inflows on services exports in Newly Industrialised countries (NICs) by employing panel data techniques. FDI inflows in Services are a good tool to connect local services producers to the global value chain and boost services exports. The findings in the paper suggest that FDI inflows in services sector significantly contribute to services exports in NICs. Recently, many NICs countries wanted to strategically shift their reliance from manufacturing export to services export and our findings support this policy shift. Beside FDI inflows in services, increase in global demand for services and improvement of local infrastructure in NICs positively contribute to services exports in NICs.
Personalized laparoscopic resection of colon cancer with the use of indocyanine green lymph node mapping: Technical and clinical outcomes
Authors: Ho Man Fung , Futaba Kaori , Mak Tony Wing Chung , Ng Simon Siu Man
Published: March 2022

Introduction

To describe the experience of utilization of real time indocyanide green (ICG) fluorescent imaging for mapping out drainage lymph node and hence personalized lymphadenectomy in colorectal resection.

Methods

Perioperative injection of ICG before or during colon cancer resection by either intraluminal submucosal injection or laparoscopic peritumoural injection. The drainage lymph nodes were mapped out, and hence lymphadenectomy was performed enbloc with the main tumor. The effectiveness of mapping of drainage lymphatics and the procedure performed were recorded.

Results

A total of 21 patients (M:F = 14: 7) had perioperative ICG injection to map out the drainage lymphatics. The overall success rate was 86%. Seven patients (33%) had endoscopic submucosal injection, while 14 patients (67%) had intraoperative peritumoural injection. Three patients who had endoscopic submucosal injection had ICG extravasation, and hence failed lymph node mapping. Four patients (19%) had a change in extent of resection according to the lymph node mapping results.

Conclusions

Personalized oncological colorectal resection and lymphadenectomy can be performed with the aid of ICG technology. Laparoscopic subserosal ICG injection may be the preferred route, as it minimize extravasation and aids to identify drainage lymph nodes without prolonging minimally invasive surgery. Further studies are required to determine the best route, strength, and timing of ICG injection and concordance with pathology to tailor the extent of resection for individual patients.
Catalysts that influence leaders' value system development towards a prosocial value orientation
Authors: Bailey Charlene , Scheepers Caren Brenda
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this research is to explore antecedents of leaders' value systems towards a prosocial value orientation. Using a socio‐cognitive model on stages of adult values' development, the spiral dynamics model, the study revealed specific catalysts over the life span of a leader. A qualitative, exploratory method was used to gain new insights by conducting 19 semi‐structured interviews with senior leaders in various industries in South Africa. Key findings include that as leaders develop, their value systems adjust, causing them to transcend in the spiral dynamics model, from the self‐enhancement focused to the other focused or self‐transcendent values. Catalysts play a nuanced role in this development, where early life role models cultivate other‐focused values, whereas career role experiences activate self‐focused values of achievement and resilience. When leaders received opportunities for taking on larger roles, they seem to transition to caring more about people and integrity and setting an example of integrity. The study offers a conceptual framework to deepen our understanding of the development of leaders' value systems and the importance of reflection. Organizations could benefit from taking note of these recommendations to develop their leaders' prosocial value orientations.
COVID‐19 and credit unions: CSR approaches to navigating the pandemic
Authors: Al‐Zyoud Hussein , Ordonez‐Ponce Eduardo
Published: March 2022

The financial sector plays a fundamental role in Canadian society; credit unions, in particular, cater to a specific group of stakeholders not commonly served by traditional financial institutions. This research investigates the social responsiveness (CSR2) approaches implemented by credit unions during the pandemic, the type of actions implemented, the stakeholders assisted, and whether the size of credit unions may affect their responses. Data were collected from the 100 largest credit unions from nine Canadian provinces and assessed through qualitative content analysis. Results show that Canadian credit unions have implemented accommodative and proactive approaches when addressing COVID‐19, through more operational than financial actions directed to their clients and employees, and that those with larger assets implement a greater number of actions compared to credit unions with smaller assets. More importantly, results show that traditional CSR2approaches (e.g., RDAP) do not fit unexpected crises, so novel approaches are required to face future crises and remain resilient. While we aim to contribute to the body of literature by examining how credit unions have assisted their stakeholders during the pandemic, we also, and most importantly, seek to provide material for discussing and reflecting on how organizations are prepared to face crises that will likely arise in the future.
Gastroprotective effect of topiramate on indomethacin‐induced peptic ulcer in rats: Biochemical and histological analyses
Authors: Jafari Abbas , Andishfar Nafiseh , Esmaeilzadeh Zeinab , Khezri Mohammad Rafi , Ghasemnejad‐Berenji Morteza
Published: March 2022

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant drug effective against a wide range of seizures and epilepsies. The present study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effect of topiramate on indomethacin‐induced gastric mucosal damage in rats. The animals were randomly distributed into four experimental groups with 10 animals in each group. Group 1 was the control group received vehicle only (DMSO at 1:4 (w/v)), group 2 was the model group received indomethacin (50 mg/kg; i.p.), and groups 3 and 4 received topiramate (100 mg/kg; i.p.) and ranitidine (100 mg/kg; i.p.), respectively, 1 h before indomethacin (50 mg/kg; i.p.). The efficacy of topiramate was compared with ranitidine. Animals were euthanized 4 h after indomethacin administration, and gastric tissues were collected for macroscopical, histopathological, and biochemical analyses. The mucosal lesions in the gastric corpus were evaluated by pathological examinations. The results revealed that the administration of indomethacin caused evident gastric mucosal damage with morphological and histological manifestation, whereas topiramate pretreatment extensively ameliorated the gastric injuries. Topiramate pretreatment also reduced the contents of tissue malonaldehyde, enhanced ferric reducing antioxidant power value and glutathione levels, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in gastric mucosa compared to the model group. Our results indicate that topiramate might possess a protective role against indomethacin‐induced gastric ulcers by inhibition of oxidative stress in gastric tissue.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis-like presentation of toxic erythema of chemotherapy
Authors: Mehta Hitaishi , Mete Uttam Kumar , Gupta Priyansh , Ranjan Kumar Rajiv , Nahar Saikia Uma , Mahajan Rahul
Published: March 2022

Toxic erythema of chemotherapy is an umbrella term encompassing a range of reactions characterized by symmetric erythematous to dusky patches, which can develop oedema, desquamation and/or purpura. We describe an elderly patient with prostate cancer who developed this complication while receiving docetaxel chemotherapy, presenting with prominent mucosal and periorificial involvement, along with epidermal necrosis, closely mimicking toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Effects of inulin‐type fructans with different degrees of polymerization on inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Ziaei Rahele , Shahshahan Zahra , Ghasemi‐Tehrani Hatav , Heidari Zahra , Ghiasvand Reza
Published: March 2022

Objective

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors. Prebiotics were proposed to beneficially affect risk factors associated with metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of inulin‐type fructans (ITFs), as well‐studied prebiotics, with different degrees of polymerization, on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in PCOS patients.

Design

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Patients: Seventy‐five PCOS women were randomly assigned to receive 10 g/day of either high‐performance inulin (HPI) or oligofructose‐enriched inulin (OEI) or placebo for 12 weeks. Measurements: Biochemical indices and blood pressure levelswere assessed before and after the intervention.

Results

In the intent‐to‐treat analysis, high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) decreased in HPI and OEI groups, over the 12 weeks, and the changes were significant in the HPI group, compared to placebo (changes from baseline in the HPI group: −0.11 vs. placebo group: 0.004 mg/L [conversion factor to SI units (nmol/L): 9/5238]; p = .007). Serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) increased, and endothelin‐1 and total oxidant status decreased in HPI and OEI groups, at the end of the trial; however, these changes were not significantly compared to placebo (p = .07, .36 and .22, respectively). No differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found. Per‐protocol analysis (n = 68) yielded consistent results for all endpoints, with the exception that the significant effect of ITFs on serum hs‐CRP levels in the unadjusted ITT analysis became nonsignificant in the per‐protocol analysis (p = .06).

Conclusion

A 12‐week supplementation with long‐chain ITFs had favourable effects on inflammatory status among PCOS patients.
Impact of a mindfulness‐based school curriculum on emotion processing in Vietnamese pre‐adolescents: An event‐related potentials study
Authors: Nguyen Thy U. , Dorjee Dusana
Published: March 2022

The neurocognitive mechanisms associated with mindfulness training in children are not well understood. This randomised controlled study with active and passive control groups examined the impact of an 18‐week mindfulness curriculum delivered by schoolteachers on emotion processing in Vietnamese 7‐ to 11‐year‐olds. Event‐related potential markers indexed emotion processing while children were completing emotional Go/No‐Go tasks before and after mindfulness training, and at 6‐month follow‐up. In an oddball Go/No‐Go task with Caucasian faces no changes in P3b and LPP components were detected, but in a Go/No‐Go task with Caucasian and Japanese faces changes were observed in P3b latencies and LPP mean amplitudes. Specifically, the P3b in response to angry non‐targets for Japanese faces peaked later in the mindfulness training group (TG) at 6‐months follow‐up in comparison to the non‐intervention control group (NCG). The LPP mean amplitudes for averaged Caucasian and Japanese angry non‐targets were also attenuated in the TG at 6‐month follow‐up. In contrast, no changes in the LPP mean amplitudes were observed for the NCG over time. Together, these findings may indicate that mindfulness training in pre‐adolescents enhances emotional non‐reactivity to negative distractors. A fluctuating pattern of LPP mean amplitude modulations for angry targets was observed in the active control group (ACG) receiving social‐emotional learning (SEL) training. Overall, findings from this study suggest that mindfulness training in pre‐adolescents enhances emotional non‐reactivity to negative distractors and some of the effects are culturally sensitive.
Sex differences in the association between alcohol intake and cognitive decline over 4 years in a middle‐aged cohort: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health
Authors: Salvador Larissa , Giatti Luana , Viana Maria Carmen , Suemoto Claudia Kimie , Duncan Bruce B. , Molina Maria del Carmen Bisi , Fonseca Maria de Jesus Mendes da , Brunoni André R. , Barreto Sandhi Maria , Caramelli Paulo
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

The association between alcohol intake and cognitive decline has been widely studied. Sex differences and cognitive domains affected by alcohol intake patterns make this topic complex. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of alcohol intake on cognition in middle‐aged participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health by sex during 4 years of follow‐up.

Methods

A total of 7595 participants (55% women) aged between 50 and 75 years at baseline were assessed. Semantic and phonemic fluency, memory, and executive functions were assessed at baseline (2008–2010) and repeated during Visit 2. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the association between cognition and current abstainers, never drinkers, light drinkers, moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers.

Results

Heavy alcohol intake accentuated the decline in executive functions for men (β = −0.01, p < 0.05), and in semantic fluency (β = −0.02, p < 0.05) and memory (β = −0.02, p < 0.05) for women. Never drinker men also showed an accentuated decline in semantic fluency (β = −0.02, p < 0.01). Moderate alcohol intake slowed cognitive decline in phonemic fluency for men (β = 0.02, p < 0.01) and women (β = 0.01, p < 0.01), and in executive functions (β = 0.01, p < 0.05) for women.

Conclusions

Having more than 14 drinks per week can impact executive functions in men and memory in women. In addition, alcohol consumption of seven to 14 drinks per week may have a protective effect on gender‐specific cognitive functions. These findings should be considered in public health policies and guidelines on alcohol and cognitive aging.
Demyelinating events following anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy: Rare but challenging to treat
Authors: Kalén Erik , Piehl Fredrik , Andersson Magnus
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

Demyelinating events are listed as adverse events with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi), but epidemiological studies have provided partly conflicting risk estimates. Furthermore, studies examining long‐term outcomes of demyelinating events associated with TNFi are rare.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study comprising validation and tracking of long‐term outcomes in patients referred to a tertiary neurology referral center for suspected neurological complications associated with TNFi.

Results

Of 48 patients evaluated, only 14 showed signs of demyelinating disease on magnetic resonance imaging, where six fulfilled criteria for a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and eight were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, 13 patients had received an International Classification of Diseases code for MS at some stage. Mean follow‐up from referral was 13 and 10.5 years among subjects with MS and CIS, respectively. Continued disease activity was recorded among several of those fulfilling MS criteria, and two ultimately underwent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In contrast, subjects with CIS showed no progression after cessation of TNFi.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that only a minority of those with suspected demyelinating disease following TNFi fulfill diagnostic criteria for MS and that MS diagnoses among those not fulfilling MS criteria may contribute to inflated epidemiological risk estimates. Nevertheless, in those fulfilling MS criteria, initiation of disease‐modulating therapy, with escalation as needed, was important to suppress further disease activity.
Integrated evaluation of a panel of neurochemical biomarkers to optimize diagnosis and prognosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Falzone Yuri Matteo , Domi Teuta , Mandelli Alessandra , Pozzi Laura , Schito Paride , Russo Tommaso , Barbieri Alessandra , Fazio Raffaella , Volontè Maria Antonietta , Magnani Giuseppe , Del Carro Ubaldo , Carrera Paola , Malaspina Andrea , Agosta Federica , Quattrini Angelo , Furlan Roberto , Filippi Massimo , Riva Nilo
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

This study was undertaken to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of a panel of serum biomarkers and to correlate their concentrations with several clinical parameters in a large cohort of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

One hundred forty‐three consecutive patients with ALS and a control cohort consisting of 70 patients with other neurodegenerative disorders (DEG), 70 patients with ALS mimic disorders (ALSmd), and 45 healthy controls (HC) were included. Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), ubiquitin carboxyl‐terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 (UCHL1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and total tau protein levels were measured using ultrasensitive single molecule array.

Results

NfL correlated with disease progression rate (p < 0.001) and with the measures of upper motor neuron burden (p < 0.001). NfL was higher in the ALS patients with classic and pyramidal phenotype. GFAP was raised in ALS with cognitive–behavioral impairment compared with ALS with normal cognition. NfL displayed the best diagnostic performance in discriminating ALS from HC (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.990), DEG (AUC = 0.946), and ALSmd (AUC = 0.850). UCHL1 performed well in distinguishing ALS from HC (AUC = 0.761), whereas it was not helpful in differentiating ALS from DEG and ALSmd. In multivariate analysis, NfL (p < 0.001) and UCHL1 (p = 0.038) were independent prognostic factors. Survival analysis combining NfL and UCHL1 effectively stratified patients with lower NfL levels (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

NfL is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of ALS and the strongest predictor of survival. UCHL1 is an independent prognostic factor helpful in stratifying survival in patients with low NfL levels, likely to have slowly progressive disease. GFAP reflects extramotor involvement, namely cognitive impairment or frontotemporal dementia.
Systemic and personal factors that affect students' elective language other than English enrollment decisions
Authors: Clayton Stephanie
Published: March 2022

In a world where English has achieved global dominance, it is unsurprising that the instrumental value of learning a language other than English (LOTE) for those already fluent in English is increasingly deemed unnecessary. There are significant enrollment declines postcompulsory second language (L2) learning in all English‐speaking countries. To explore the common Australian “monolingual mindset” and students' reasons for (not) enrolling in elective LOTE subjects, a mixed methodology study was conducted with Tasmanian Year 9–12 students. While the findings highlighted the main (de)motivators experienced by students, one key finding was the lost cohort of students who want to study a LOTE but are prevented from doing so by personal and systemic barriers. A complex interplay of factors affects student decision‐making regarding elective LOTE enrollment. This article focuses upon those students who were forced to discontinue their languages study and the untold story of elective LOTE enrollment decline.
Reduced body weight of Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) causes delayed initiation of spawning migration
Authors: Kakehi Shigeho , Hashimoto Midori , Naya Miyako , Ito Shin‐ichi , Miyamoto Hiroomi , Suyama Satoshi
Published: March 2022

The fishing grounds of the Pacific saury began shifting eastward after 2013 and deviated further east in 2019 and 2020. Consequently, the migration pattern from the pre‐fishing distribution to fishing grounds may be changing. This study investigated inter‐annual variations in westward spawning migration parameters using a migration model. Case studies were conducted to estimate optimal values for the initiation date of spawning migration and migration speed during spawning migration. The estimated optimal initiation date of spawning migration from 2003 to 2018 was July 13 to August 8, with an average of July 31. However, in 2019 and 2020, the initiation date of spawning migration was August 22 and September 5, respectively, significantly later than that in 2003–2018 (p < .01). The estimated optimal swimming speed during spawning migration in 2019 and 2020 was not significantly different from that in 2003–2018 (p > .7). These results indicate that delays in the initiation of spawning migration occurred in 2019 and 2020, leading to an eastward shift of fishing grounds. The mean body weight of the age‐1 Pacific saury in the pre‐fishing season had a significant negative correlation (p < .01) with the initiation date of spawning migration. This result suggests that Pacific saury with low body weight continues to feed for growth instead of initiating spawning migration. However, body weight at initiation of spawning migration had a significant decreasing trend (p < .01), indicating that the Pacific saury had to start spawning migration despite low body weight in recent years.
Latitudinal variation in freshwater mussel potential maximum length in Eastern North America
Authors: DuBose Traci P. , Patten Michael A. , Holt Alexandria S. , Vaughn Caryn C.
Published: March 2022

As body size often predicts energetic requirements and fecundity, understanding the drivers behind size variation is important. Neo‐Bergmann's rule states that larger individuals are found at higher latitudes and this size variation is attributable to temperature gradients. In ectotherms, this macroecological pattern has mixed support within the literature—both the direction and mechanism of size correlation with latitude varies.

We asked if two species of freshwater mussels with different thermal niche preferences, Amblema plicata and Lampsilis cardium, follow neo‐Bergmann's rule and what mechanisms might drive that latitudinal variation. Lampsilis cardium is a thermally sensitive species intolerant of high temperatures, and A. plicata is more tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. We predicted that the thermally sensitive species at southern latitudes would have stunted growth in the summer and that this stunting would produce a steeper relationship with latitude than in the thermally tolerant species. We collected and thin‐sectioned 113 A. plicata shells from 23 sites and 85 Lampsilis cardium shells from 12 sites across a latitudinal gradient in the eastern U.S.A. We used back‐calculated size‐at‐age data to determine logistic growth parameters for each taxon across this gradient. We used Bayesian model selection to evaluate how environmental information correlated with potential maximum size.

We found that both mussel species reached a larger potential maximum size at higher latitudes, with the thermally sensitive species having the larger increase in potential maximum size across the gradient when compared to the thermally tolerant species. Average annual water temperature explained mussel potential maximum size better than annual catchment precipitation, annual minimum flow ratio, and species identity. Both increased average water temperature and annual catchment precipitation, two predicted outcomes of climate change, were associated with smaller potential maximum size.

Reductions in mussel maximum size due to climate change induced shifts in temperature regimes and precipitation patterns could lead to reduced reproductive output of this threatened guild and subsequent changes in ecosystem function and services, such as decreased biofiltration.

As climate change alters precipitation patterns and stream productivity, and increases water temperature, understanding size variation and its cause in aquatic organisms will be important for managing these vulnerable populations.
The polity of implementation: Organizational and institutional arrangements in policy implementation
Authors: Sager Fritz , Gofen Anat
Published: March 2022

Policy implementation is a formative stage of the policy process. It determines policy's form and effect while also lying at the intersection of politics, policy, and the public. Policy implementation takes place within a given institutional setting and requires specific structure and organization to conduct it both of which allocate decision power and mint specific roles in the implementation process. Nevertheless, current implementation literature tends to overlook implementation arrangements as structures influencing, and influenced by, power. This special issue draws on various aspects of implementation arrangements to demonstrate the significant, yet underexplored, polity of implementation. To do so, this introduction begins by reviewing the conceptual frameworks available in the current implementation scholarship. This is followed by a discussion of the special issue's seven contributions. Finally, the conclusion proposes recommendations for conducting future research on the polity of implementation.
NIETZSCHE'S EARLY AND LATE CONCEPTIONS OF TIME AND ETERNAL RECURRENCE
Authors: RAYMAN JOSHUA
Published: March 2022

Friedrich Nietzsche's late notions of time and eternal recurrence are semiotically concentrated concepts, tacitly freighted by their history. What we think they mean on their face is other than their history testifies. Examination of Nietzsche's early writings reveals multiple branching possibilities within his mature conceptions of time and eternal recurrence. His key early texts on time, space, and history—the apparently anomalous, five‐page early‐1873 fragment known as the Zeitatomenlehre (or “Time‐Atom Theory”), On the Use and Disadvantage of History for Life, The Pre‐Platonic Philosophers, and Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks—described concepts ranging from time atom theory and eternal recurrence to monumental, critical, and antiquarian history, and the unhistorical, historical, and superhistorical. By determining which of these concepts he privileged in his early work, we can better judge whether the privileged time moment in Thus Spoke Zarathustra refers to a pure fiction, a discrete set of experiential, yet unhistorical time atoms, a continuous temporal spectrum, or a single superhistorical moment encompassing all time. Similarly, examination of Nietzsche's early treatments of eternal recurrence in The Pre‐Platonic Philosophers and Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks can help us determine his favored sense of eternal recurrence in the 1880s. This is not to reduce the late to the early work but rather to show just how he came to accept time and eternal recurrence as a plurality of overlapping, connected, recurrent, intratemporal phenomenological moments.
A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study the load capacity and clinical behaviour of the root filled teeth
Authors: Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald , Lin Fei , Nagarkar Sanket , Perdigão Jorge
Published: March 2022

The prognosis of root‐filled teeth depends not only on a successful root canal treatment but also on the restorative prognosis. This critical review discusses the advantages and limitations of various methodologies used to assess the load capacity or clinical survivability of root‐filled teeth and restorations. These methods include static loading, cyclic loading, finite element analysis and randomized clinical trials. In vitro research is valuable for preclinical screening of new dental materials or restorative modalities. It also can assist investigators or industry to decide whether further clinical trials are justified. It is important that these models present high precision and accuracy, be reproducible, and present adequate outcomes. Although in vitro models can reduce confounding by controlling important variables, the lack of clinical validation (accuracy) is a downside that has not been properly addressed. Most importantly, many in vitro studies did not explore the mechanisms of failure and their results are limited to rank different materials or treatment modalities according to the maximum load capacity. An extensive number of randomized clinical trials have also been published in the last years. These trials have provided valuable insight on the survivability of the root‐filled tooth answering numerous clinical questions. However, trials can also be affected by the selected outcome and by intrinsic and extrinsic biases. For example, selection bias, loss to follow‐up and confounding. In the clinical scenario, hypothesis‐based studies are preferred over observational and retrospective studies. It is recommended that hypothesis‐based studies minimize error and bias during the design phase.
Analysis of a city‐wide COVID‐19 prevention strategy for aged‐care facilities during third and fifth waves of COVID‐19 in Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan
Authors: Nagao Miki , Matsumura Yasufumi , Yamamoto Masaki , Shinohara Koh , Yukawa Satomi , Noguchi Taro , Tsuchido Yasuhiro , Ikeda Takeshi
Published: March 2022

Background

During the third wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic at the end of 2020, clusters occurred frequently in aged‐care facilities (ACFs), which put pressure on the medical field in Japan. Based on this experience, Kyoto University and Kyoto City collaborated to promote a citywide COVID‐19 prevention strategy to prevent the spread of COVID‐19 within ACFs. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of the prevention strategy among ACFs in Kyoto City during the third and fifth waves of the pandemic.

Methods

During the study period, the following measures were adopted as the prevention strategy in all ACFs: (1) active polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mass testing and facility‐wide testing when a single case was identified, (2) implementation of strategies to prevent transmission within a facility, and (3) vaccination program for ACFs.

Results

Of the 1,144 facilities subjected to the mass testing, 71.0% participated in the whole program including active PCR testing. The remainder participated in the rest of the programs. The prevalence of ACF‐related COVID‐19 cases among total COVID‐19 cases in Kyoto City decreased from 7.9% in the third wave to 4.1% in the fourth wave and 2.1% in the fifth wave. The incidence of clusters and proportion of severe elderly cases also decreased during the study period.

Conclusions

A city‐wide multidisciplinary effort including PCR mass testing and a vaccination program in cooperation with a university and local administrative office successfully reduced the clusters and transmission in ACFs in Kyoto City, Japan.
Self‐segregation and solubility in nonstoichiometric MgAl2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Caliman Lorena B. , da Silva Andre Luiz , Gouvêa Douglas
Published: March 2022

Magnesium aluminate spinel (MAS) has a wide range of technological applications owing to its exceptional mechanical properties and good chemical stability. MAS phase diagrams indicate that only stoichiometric MgAl2O4 is stable at ∼25°C and Mg2+ and Al3+ exhibit solubility in nonstoichiometric MAS only at temperatures higher than ∼1200°C. In this study, the synthesis of nonstoichiometric single‐phase spinel nanopowders at low temperatures is reported, and the role of the chemical distribution of Al3+ and Mg2+ excess on the stability of these nanopowders is examined. We performed selective lixiviation to examine the surface segregation of Mg2+ and Al3+ in nonstoichiometric MAS to investigate its effect on interfacial solubility and consequently the stability of nonstoichiometric MAS. Furthermore, we plotted an experimental phase diagram of nano MAS that predicts the crystallite size limits for the nonstoichiometric single‐phase MAS.
Metabolite profiling reveals overexpression of the global regulator, MoLAEA leads to increased synthesis of metabolites in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Subba Pratigya , Saha Pallabi , Karthikkeyan Gayathree , Biswas Mousumi , Prasad Thottethodi Subrahmanya Keshava , Roy-Barman Subhankar
Published: March 2022

Aims

To study the altered metabolic pathways and metabolites produced in overexpression and knockdown mutants of a global regulator named MoLAEA, which was recently found to regulate the expression of the genes involved in secondary metabolism in one of the most destructive plant pathogens, Magnaporthe oryzae.

Methods and Results

Mass spectrometry-based global untargeted metabolomic profiling was used to identify altered metabolites. Metabolites were extracted from the mutant strains of MoLAEA using two extraction methods viz., aqueous and organic extraction and data acquired using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) in positive and negative polarities. Levels of metabolites involved in various biological pathways such as amino acid as well as polyamine biosynthesis, fatty acid and pyrimidine metabolism showed a remarkable change in the mutant strains. Interestingly, metabolites involved in stress responses were produced in higher quantities in the overexpression strain, whereas certain overproduced metabolites were associated with distinctive phenotypic changes in the overexpression strain compared with the wild type. Further, the expression of several genes involved in the stress responses was found to have higher expression in the overexpression strain.

Conclusions

The global regulator MoLAEA is involved in secondary metabolism in the plant pathogen M. oryzae such that the mutant strains showed an altered level of several metabolites involved in the biosynthesis pathways compared with the wild type. Also, metabolites involved in stress responses were overproduced in the overexpression strain and this can be seen in the higher growth in media amended with stress-inducing agents or a higher expression of genes involved in stress response in the overexpression strain compared with the wild type.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This is the first report of metabolite profiling relative to the global regulation of secondary metabolism in M. oryzae, where secondary metabolism is poorly understood. It opens up avenues for more relevant investigations on the genetic regulation of several of the metabolites found in the analysis, which have not been previously characterized in M. oryzae.