bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the partitioning of amphiphilic molecules and co-solvents in biomembranes
Authors: Tan Luoxi , Smith Micholas Dean , Scott Haden L. , Yahya Ahmad , Elkins James G. , Katsaras John , O'Neill Hugh M. , Pingali Sai Venkatesh , Smith Jeremy C. , Davison Brian H. , Nickels Jonathan D.
Published: October 2022

Amphiphilic co-solvents can have a significant impact on the structure, organization and physical properties of lipid bilayers. Describing the mutual impact of partitioning and induced structure changes is therefore a crucial consideration for a range of topics such as anesthesia and other pharmacokinetic effects, as well as microbial solvent tolerance in the production of biofuels and other fermentation products, where molecules such as ethanol, butanol or acetic acid might be generated. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a key method for studying lipid and polymer bilayer structures, with many models for extracting bilayer structure (thickness, area per lipid etc.) from scattering data in use today. However, the molecular details of co-solvent partitioning are conflated with induced changes to bilayer structure, making interpretation and modeling of the scattering curves a challenge with the existing set of models. To address this, a model of a bilayer structure is presented which invokes a two-term partition constant accounting for the localization of the co-solvent within the bilayer. This model was validated using a series of SANS measurements of lipid vesicles in the presence of the co-solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF), showing several strategies of how to deploy the two-parameter partition constant model to describe scattering data and extract both structure and partitioning information from the data. Molecular dynamics simulations are then used to evaluate assumptions of the model, provide additional molecular scale details and illustrate its complementary nature to the data fitting procedure. This approach results in estimates of the partition coefficient for THF in 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine at 35°C, along with an estimate of the fraction of THF residing in the hydrophobic core of the membrane. The authors envision that this model will be applicable to a wide range of other bilayer/amphiphile interactions and provide the associated code needed to implement this model as a fitting algorithm for scattering data in the SasView suite.
Categorizing older adults' information technology-based learning programs using correspondence analysis
Authors: Jang Ha-Yeon , Lee Young-Min
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The rapid proliferation of digital devices, population aging, and acceleration of digital technology adoption due to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the need for information education for older adults to prevent inter-generational conflicts and digital alienation. This study aims to analyze the information technology (IT) education programs provided to older adults by age group, considering their heterogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identifies IT education programs provided by public institutions in Seoul and target age groups (50 and above) through a survey using triangulation, which were then sorted and summarized into 27 keywords. Correspondence analysis was conducted using the keywords derived for the programs and age groups.

Findings

IT education programs in the age group 60 and above accounted for 75.2% of the programs offered, which increased to 90% when including those aged 55 and above. Particularly, the perceptual map created based on relationship correlations indicates which IT education program keywords matched each age group. The Seoul Metropolitan Government primarily offered these programs for older adults aged 60 and above, with 5–7.5 times more education programs for those aged 60 and above than for those aged 50 and above or 55 and above. Therefore, IT education must be more evenly provided to more diverse age groups among older adults to reflect the current situation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by proposing a future direction for IT education of older adults. Moreover, it has implications for the direction of IT education to target various age groups in IT education programs, thus enabling older adults to effectively enhance their digital literacy skills during the rapid digitalization caused by COVID-19.
Smart hospitality: from smart cities and smart tourism towards agile business ecosystems in networked destinations
Authors: Buhalis Dimitrios , O’Connor Peter , Leung Rosanna
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Building on recent smart hospitality systematic reviews and extensive literature analyses, this paper aims to explore recent developments, themes and issues within smart hospitality. It synthesises existing knowledge, extrapolating forward and contributes to the future development of smart hospitality by serving as a reference to enrich academic/industry discussions and stimulate future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examined 8 recent review articles on smart hospitality and tourism and extracted 145 articles in peer-reviewed sources from Web of Science focussed on smart hospitality. These publications supported in-depth analysis to explore the body of knowledge and develop foresight for the future of smart hospitality within business ecosystems at tourism destinations. It synthesises knowledge and provides the basis for the development of a comprehensive in-depth research agenda in smart hospitality innovations as well as the formulation of agile hospitality ecosystems.

Findings

This paper illustrates that smart hospitality introduces disruptive innovations that affect the entire hospitality ecosystem. Smart hospitality takes advantage of smart cities and smart tourism towards establishing agile business ecosystems in networked destinations. Having reviewed the existing literature, the study developed a conceptual framework and introduced a comprehensive future research agenda. This includes the drivers of smart hospitality, namely, customer-centricity, personalisation, individualisation and contextualisation; marketing-driven hospitality excellence and metaverse; as well as operation agility, asset strategy, talent management and supplier interoperation. It also identified the foundations that provide the infostructure for smart hospitality, including ambient intelligence, big data, processes and sustainability, providing the capability blocks to co-create value for all stakeholders in the hospitality ecosystem.

Originality/value

This study conceptualises smart hospitality as a disruptive and innovative power that will affect the competitiveness of hospitality and tourism organisations as part of a comprehensive ecosystem. It identifies the key stakeholders and explores how they can take advantage of emerging developments. This paper proposes the drivers and foundation for future research on smart hospitality. The research provides a conceptual synthesis of the literature and the concepts that have been elaborated. The foundations are effectively the infostructure that enables the drivers to add value to different stakeholders. Key issues are identified to stimulate further research on the area to support smart hospitality development and adoption.
Professor independent directors, marketization process and corporate innovation performance: empirical evidence from Chinese A-share listed companies
Authors: Jiang Donghan , Lin Hualing , Khan Jamal , Han Yaqing
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Professor independent directors have been the subject of academic debate as to whether they can improve corporate innovation performance. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between professor independent directors, the marketization process and corporate innovation performance in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2014 to 2017, this study examines how professor independent directors and the (low and high) marketization process affect corporate innovation performance.

Findings

The empirical analysis of this yields the following main results. First, enterprises with a higher proportion of professor independent directors outperform those with a low proportion of professor independent directors in terms of corporate innovation. Second, the study of introducing the marketization process finds that there is no “market failure”. Third, while professor independent directors have a significant association with innovation performance in the high-marketization group, this association is negligible in the low-marketization group, indicating that there is no “substitution effect”.

Originality/value

This research provides empirical evidence to support the hiring of professors with relevant backgrounds as independent directors who can contribute meaningfully to corporate governance and innovation while also fostering industrial transformation. This study also identifies that the role of professor independent directors in facilitating corporate innovation is more effective in regions with a high degree of marketization than in regions with a low degree of marketization, implying that increasing marketization benefits the role of professor independent directors in facilitating corporate innovation.
A dark side of land revenue management and counterproductive work behavior: does organizational injustice add fuel to fire?
Authors: Sharif Shahbaz , Lodhi Rab Nawaz , Jain Vipin , Sharma Paritosh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study empirically and theoretically aims to explore the consequences of top management’s dark personality traits (DPT) on organizational injustice, e.g. organizational procedural justice (OPJ), organizational interactional justice (OIJ) and organizational distributive justice (ODJ) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB).

Design/methodology/approach

A study was conducted to examine the influence of DPT on CWB among the contractual employees of the land revenue department, Pakistan. The quantitative method was employed using a convenient sampling approach. A designed survey questionnaire was distributed among 1,240 land revenue officials in 13 districts of Pakistan.

Findings

The results supported that dark DPT directly, significantly and positively affects CWB. In addition, DPT, except for psychopathy (PSY), significantly and negatively affects OPJ, OIJ and ODJ. Meanwhile, OIJ and OPJ strengthen the negative relationship between CWB and Machiavellianism and narcissism (NAR); however, PSY failed directly to affect OPJ, OIP and ODJ indirectly failed to capture CWB.

Practical implications

Top management/government should pay attention to fair dealings among the contractual employees. Consequently, they would prefer to do well in the workplace. Particularly, top management should avoid practicing DPT, which has ultimate results in CWB.

Social implications

Public managers should avoid DPT because they are not compatible with public needs. Managers with DPT negatively affect their employees' productivity behaviors. Therefore, managers should focus on positive personality traits to enhance employees' productivity via organizational justice.

Originality/value

This study is unique in the land revenue department of Pakistan, where unfair dealings are being practiced among contractual employees. Surprisingly, CWB is the ultimate consequence of both DPT and top management's dishonest dealings (e.g. organizational injustices).
International currency markets and the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Fu Hsuan , Yang Jui‐Chung
Published: October 2022

We find that quantifying COVID‐19 pandemic shocks is critical to understanding international currency market returns. Scaled by population, shocks from between‐country differences in the number of weekly COVID‐19 deaths are informative in predicting exchange rate returns. Following Alfaro et al. (2020), we estimate the expected number of COVID‐19 deaths based on an exponential model and use it to construct two pandemic shocks that measure the unanticipated number of deaths on a weekly basis and the time‐varying correction of forecast provided new information from the previous week. We document negative impacts of COVID‐19 propagation on currency returns. In addition, we find that the government response, in particular fiscal and monetary stimulus packages, can help mitigate negative effects of COVID‐19 on currency returns. Our findings are robust to country‐specific pandemic measures, window sizes of the exponential model, and the choice of forecast model.
Female representation in radiology subspecialty interest groups in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Hayter Catherine L , Ayesa Sally L
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Women comprise 31% of the Australian and New Zealand radiology workforce, and 35% of radiology trainees. To date, there has been no study of female representation within clinical radiology subspecialties in Australia and New Zealand. This study aims to quantify female representation among the clinical radiology subspecialty interest groups (SIGs) in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

A list of SIGs was compiled using the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) website. The executive of each SIG or the RANZCR Standards committee was contacted with a request to provide the number of female versus male members for each subspecialty group and their executive.

Results

Six out of 10 SIGs reported a low proportion of female members; this was most pronounced for IRSA (interventional radiology; 7% women), AMSIG (musculoskeletal imaging; 13% women) and CCINR (interventional neuroradiology; 13% women). Female radiologists accounted for >50% of membership in four SIGs: OGSIG (obstetrics/gynaecology imaging; 87% women), BIG (breast imaging; 73% women), ARGANZ (abdominal imaging; 69% women) and ANZSTR (thoracic imaging; 69% women). Female executive representation ranged from 0% (IRSA (interventional radiology) and ANZSNR (neuroradiology)) to 100% (OGSIG (obstetrics/gynaecology imaging)).

Conclusion

Female representation within the membership and representative leadership of some SIGs is well below parity and active initiatives to improve female representation should be considered.
Hepatocyte proliferation favours viral clearance in young children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Wang Limin , Liu Shuhong , Wang Chunya , Zhu Min , Guo Yupeng , Zhao Pan
Published: October 2022

Aim

The aim of this study is to explore the correlation between hepatocyte proliferation and hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance in young children with chronic HBV infection.

Methods

We collected liver biopsy samples and clinical data corresponding to paediatric patients with chronic HBV infection. Ki‐67 expression in liver tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Eighteen patients were included and were divided into two groups based on different antiviral outcomes. Group I achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss within 48 weeks. Group II did not develop seroconversion from hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen to anti‐HBe after 48 weeks. There were 10 patients in Group I and 8 in Group II, respectively. Demographical data and baseline virological and biochemical characteristics in serum across Group I and Group II were not statistically different. Histologically, mean Ki‐67 expression index in Group I was 15%, while the mean index in Group II was 5%. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

High Ki‐67 expression can contribute to viral clearance in young children with chronic HBV infection. This is the first confirmation of the association between hepatocyte proliferation and HBV clearance in vivo and has implications for novel therapeutic strategies against hepatitis B.
Adaptation of a population pharmacokinetic model to inform tacrolimus therapy in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Kirubakaran Ranita , Uster David W. , Hennig Stefanie , Carland Jane E. , Day Richard O. , Wicha Sebastian G. , Stocker Sophie L.
Published: October 2022

Aim

Existing tacrolimus population pharmacokinetic models are unsuitable for guiding tacrolimus dosing in heart transplant recipients. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a population pharmacokinetic model for tacrolimus in heart transplant recipients that considers the tacrolimus‐azole antifungal interaction.

Methods

Data from heart transplant recipients (n = 87) administered the oral immediate‐release formulation of tacrolimus (Prograf®) were collected. Routine drug monitoring data, principally trough concentrations, were used for model building (n = 1099). A published tacrolimus model was used to inform the estimation of Ka, V2/F, Q/F and V3/F. The effect of concomitant azole antifungal use on tacrolimus CL/F was quantified. Fat‐free mass was implemented as a covariate on CL/F, V2/F, V3/F and Q/F on an allometry scale. Subsequently, stepwise covariate modelling was performed. Significant covariates influencing tacrolimus CL/F were included in the final model. Robustness of the final model was confirmed using prediction‐corrected visual predictive check (pcVPC). The final model was externally evaluated for prediction of tacrolimus concentrations of the fourth dosing occasion (n = 87) from one to three prior dosing occasions.

Results

Concomitant azole antifungal therapy reduced tacrolimus CL/F by 80%. Haematocrit (∆OFV = −44, P < .001) was included in the final model. The pcVPC of the final model displayed good model adequacy. One recent drug concentration is sufficient for the model to guide tacrolimus dosing.

Conclusion

A population pharmacokinetic model that adequately describes tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in heart transplant recipients, considering the tacrolimus–azole antifungal interaction was developed. Prospective evaluation is required to assess its clinical utility to improve patient outcomes.
Bayesian Hierarchical Quantile Regression with Application to Characterizing the Immune Architecture of Lung Cancer
Authors: Das Priyam , Peterson Christine B. , Ni Yang , Reuben Alexandre , Zhang Jiexin , Zhang Jianjun , Do Kim-Anh , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: October 2022

The successful development and implementation of precision immuno-oncology therapies requires a deeper understanding of the immune architecture at a patient level. T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire sequencing is a relatively new technology that enables monitoring of T-cells, a subset of immune cells that play a central role in modulating immune response. These immunologic relationships are complex and are governed by various distributional aspects of an individual patient's tumor profile. We propose Bayesian QUANTIle regression for hierarchical COvariates (QUANTICO) that allows simultaneous modeling of hierarchical relationships between multilevel covariates, conducts explicit variable selection, estimates quantile and patient-specific coefficient effects, to induce individualized inference. We show QUANTICO outperforms existing approaches in multiple simulation scenarios. We demonstrate the utility of QUANTICO to investigate the effect of TCR variables on immune response in a cohort of lung cancer patients. At population level, our analyses reveal the mechanistic role of T-cell proportion on the immune cell abundance, with tumor mutation burden as an important factor modulating this relationship. At a patient level, we find several outlier patients based on their quantile-specific coefficient functions, who have higher mutational rates and different smoking history.
Rainforest conversion to smallholder cash crops leads to varying declines of beetles (Coleoptera) on Sumatra
Authors: Kasmiatun  , Hartke Tamara R. , Buchori Damayanti , Hidayat Purnama , Siddikah Fatimah , Amrulloh Rosyid , Hiola Muhammad Syaifullah , Najmi Lailatun , Noerdjito Woro A. , Scheu Stefan , Drescher Jochen
Published: October 2022

Southeast Asian arthropod biodiversity is in rapid decline, but the variability of responses within taxa has received little attention. Using canopy fogging, we collected ~50,000 beetles (Coleoptera) in (1) lowland rainforest, (2) jungle rubber (rubber agroforest), and smallholder monoculture plantations of (3) rubber and (4) oil palm in Sumatra, across two landscapes and seasons. On average, beetle abundance was more than 50%, and biomass over 75%, lower in rubber and oil palm plantations than in rainforest and jungle rubber. This pattern was influenced by landscape and season. Abundance and biomass declines were similar in Chrysomelidae, Elateridae, and Staphylinidae, but differed in Curculionidae, which were most abundant in oil palm due to the introduced oil palm pollinator Elaeidobius kamerunicus. Across beetle families, species richness in monocultures was reduced by at least 70% compared to rainforest, with beetle richness in jungle rubber being similar to rainforest. Community composition in oil palm plantations differed markedly from the other land‐use systems for Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae, but less for Elateridae and Staphylinidae. Turnover contributed more to overall beta diversity than nestedness for all families and land‐use systems. Likely undersampling of the beetle community in rainforest suggests that declines of beetle density and diversity are much more severe than reported here, especially for beetle families with many concealed species, such as Staphylinidae. This study provides first evidence that negative responses of beetles to tropical land‐use change vary among families, and is the first report of its kind from heavily understudied Sumatra.

Abstract in Indonesia is available with online material.
Subtypes of early childhood caries predict future caries experience
Authors: Gormley Alexander , Haworth Simon , Simancas‐Pallares Miguel , Holgerson Pernilla Lif , Esberg Anders , Shrestha Poojan , Divaris Kimon , Johansson Ingegerd
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To test whether postulated subtypes of early childhood caries (ECC) are predictive of subsequent caries experience in a population‐based cohort of Swedish children.

Methods

The study included children aged between 3 and 5 years at study entry with dental records available for at least 5 years of follow‐up. Dental record data were retrieved from the Swedish Quality Registry for Caries and Periodontal disease (SKaPa) for the initial and follow‐up visits. Participants who had ECC at study entry were assigned to one of five ECC subtypes (termed classes 1–5) using latent class modelling of tooth surface‐level caries experience. Subsequent experience of caries was assessed using the decayed, missing and filled surfaces indices (dmfs/DMFS) at follow‐up visits, and compared between ECC subtypes using logistic and negative binomial regression modelling.

Results

The study included 128 355 children who had 3 or more dental visits spanning at least 5 years post‐baseline. Of these children, 31 919 had caries at the initial visit. Baseline ECC subtype was associated with differences in subsequent disease experience. As an example, 83% of children who had a severe form of ECC at age 5 went on to have caries in the permanent dentition by the end of the study, compared to 51% of children who were caries‐free at age 5 (adjusted odds ratio of 4.9 for new disease at their third follow‐up).

Conclusions

ECC subtypes assigned at a baseline visit are associated with differences in subsequent caries experience in both primary and permanent teeth. This suggests that the development and future validation of an ECC classification can be used in addition to current prediction tools to help identify children at high risk of developing new caries lesions throughout childhood and adolescence.
PIM kinases phosphorylate lactate dehydrogenase A at serine 161 and suppress its nuclear ubiquitination
Authors: Mung Kwan Long , Meinander Annika , Koskinen Päivi J.
Published: October 2022

Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is a glycolytic enzyme catalysing the reversible conversion of pyruvate to lactate. It has been implicated as a substrate for PIM kinases, yet the relevant target sites and functional consequences of phosphorylation have remained unknown. Here, we show that all three PIM family members can phosphorylate LDHA at serine 161. When we investigated the physiological consequences of this phosphorylation in PC3 prostate cancer and MCF7 breast cancer cells, we noticed that it suppressed ubiquitin‐mediated degradation of nuclear LDHA and promoted interactions between LDHA and 14‐3‐3 proteins. By contrast, in CRISPR/Cas9‐edited knock‐out cells lacking all three PIM family members, ubiquitination of nuclear LDHA was dramatically increased followed by its decreased expression. Our data suggest that PIM kinases support nuclear LDHA expression and activities by promoting phosphorylation‐dependent interactions of LDHA with 14‐3‐3ε, which shields nuclear LDHA from ubiquitin‐mediated degradation.
A multi‐objective hybrid evolutionary search algorithm for parallel production line balancing problem including disassembly and assembly tasks
Authors: Zhang Zeqiang , Zhu Lixia , Chen Yarong , Guan Chao
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a multi‐objective hybrid evolutionary search algorithm to simultaneously optimize the number of workstations, the idle index and the quantity of the production equipment required for the parallel production line balancing problem including disassembly and assembly tasks. The proposed algorithm uses the crossover operation and the mutation operation to generate neighborhood individuals of the current evolutionary population. Based on the mixed population composed of the current evolutionary population and the newly generated neighborhood population, a novel population update method is developed. The individuals of the new generation population are composed of Pareto dominant individuals filtered from the mixed population and several individuals randomly selected from the dominated individuals. Then the local search strategy based on simulated annealing operation is applied to the new generation of population individuals to overcome the defect of premature convergence of the proposed algorithm. By solving test examples of different scales and comparing them with a variety of classical algorithms, the advantages in the aspects of the diversity, the convergence, and the distribution of the solution results of the proposed algorithm are proved. Finally, the established mathematical model and the developed algorithm are applied to the parallel production line designed for the bogie remanufacturing production line of a railway freight car maintenance company. The advantages of the parallel production line in improving the production efficiency and reducing the production cost are identified.
Progressive Taxation versus College Subsidies with College Dropout
Authors: MATSUDA KAZUSHIGE
Published: October 2022

This paper examines what the optimal policy is against the rising skill premium in a heterogeneous agent macroeconomic model in which agents make endogenous enrollment and dropout decisions. Some college enrollees in the model endogenously drop out after learning ability during college. Using this model, I derive the optimal progressive labor income tax and optimal college subsidies separately and compare the social welfare. While the effect of college subsidies is smaller than the case without learning ability, the optimal college subsidies improve social welfare more than the optimal progressive labor income tax.
Partial loss of arcuate kisspeptin neurons in female rats stimulates luteinizing hormone and decreases prolactin secretion induced by estradiol
Authors: Campideli‐Santana Ana C. , Gusmao Daniela O. , Almeida Fernanda R. C. L. , Araujo‐Lopes Roberta , Szawka Raphael E.
Published: October 2022

Kisspeptin, neurokinin, and dynorphin (KNDy) neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) control luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) release, although their role in conveying the effects of estradiol (E2) to these hormones is not well understood. We performed a longitudinal evaluation of female rats in which KNDy neurons were ablated using a neurokinin‐3 receptor agonist conjugated with saporin (NK3‐SAP) to investigate the impact of the reduction of KNDy neurons on the E2 regulation of gonadal and PRL axes. NK3‐SAP rats, bearing a moderate loss of ARC kisspeptin‐immunoreactive (‐IR) neurons (50%–90%), displayed irregular estrous cycles but essentially unaltered follicular development and a normal number of corpora lutea. Rats were then ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with a positive‐feedback dose of E2 (OVX + E2). LH and PRL were measured in the tail blood by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The E2‐induced LH surge was amplified, whereas the PRL rise was decreased in NK3‐SAP rats compared to Blank‐SAP control. After 10 days of no hormonal treatment, basal LH levels were equally elevated in NK3‐SAP and controls. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) phosphorylation in the median eminence, in turn, was increased in NK3‐SAP rats, with no change in the number of ARC TH‐IR neurons. Thus, KNDy neurons exert concurrent and opposite roles in the E2‐induced surges of LH and PRL. The partial loss of KNDy neurons disrupts ovarian cyclicity but does not preclude ovulation, consistent with the disinhibition of the LH preovulatory surge. Conversely, KNDy neurons tonically inhibit the enzymatic activity of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons, which appears to facilitate PRL release in response to E2.
Treatment of bruising after injection to reduce cellulite
Authors: Gold Michael H.
Published: October 2022

Background

Cellulite 80%–98% of post‐pubertal women and results in cutaneous dimples in the affected area.

Aims

Therapies that target collagenous fibrous septae often provide successful outcomes.

Materials & Methods

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum‐aaes (CCH) for injection consists of two collagenases which, under physiologic conditions, disrupt collagen structures by hydrolyzing Type I and III collagen.

Results

Subcutaneous CCH was approved in the United States in 2020 for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. Although bruising is primarily an aesthetic concern, a conspicuous procedure‐induced bruise may limit a patient's social activities and result in hesitation to undergo a similar cosmetic procedure in the future.

Conclusion

The purpose of this review is to describe the available techniques for hastening bruise resolution and how they apply to resolving bruises associated with a CCH injectable.
Multifarious methods in the pursuit of quality: More “ands” and fewer “ors”
Authors: van Zanten Marta
Published: October 2022

The author highlights accreditation’s role in increasing public availability of information and its use (or lack thereof) to evaluate institutions for the purpose of gatekeeping IMGs.
Prehospital delay after acute ischemic stroke among Thai older adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Butdee Sittirat , Juntasopeepun Phanida , Chintanawat Rojanee , Locsin Rozzano C.
Published: October 2022

Acute ischemic stroke is a common medical emergency among older adults and requires immediate treatment. Prehospital delay limits the use of critical treatments, such as intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activators, leading to serious complications and often death. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model, this cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate and determine factors influencing prehospital delay among older persons with acute ischemic stroke. The participants consisted of 120 older persons with first‐time acute ischemic stroke diagnoses who received treatments at two hospitals in northern Thailand between November 2021 and February 2022. The results revealed that 70% of older persons experienced delays of over 3 hours following the onset of stroke symptoms. It was found that increased perceived severity of ischemic stroke and a shorter distance from home to the hospital were both associated with a reduced probability of prehospital delay. These findings highlight the significant factors influencing prehospital delay and suggest possible interventions to reduce prehospital delay among older patients with acute ischemic stroke.
What is wrong with the Mission Dependency Index for US federal infrastructure decisions?
Authors: Eisenberg Daniel A. , Fish Aaron B. , Alderson David L.
Published: October 2022

The Mission Dependency Index (MDI) is a risk metric used by US military services and federal agencies for guiding operations, management, and funding decisions for facilities. Despite its broad adoption for guiding the expenditure of billions in federal funds, several studies on MDI suggest it may have flaws that limit its efficacy. We present a detailed technical analysis of MDI to show how its flaws impact infrastructure decisions. We present the MDI used by the US Navy and develop a critique of current methods. We identify six problems with MDI that stem from its interpretation, use, and mathematical formulation, and we provide examples demonstrating how these flaws can bias decisions. We provide recommendations to overcome flaws for infrastructure risk decision making but ultimately recommend the US government develop a new metric less susceptible to bias.
Determining optimal locations for blood distribution centers
Authors: Wemelsfelder Merel L. , den Hertog Dick , Wisman Onno , Ihalainen Jarkko , Janssen Mart P.
Published: October 2022

Background

Blood banks have to be thoughtful about supply chain decisions to effectively satisfy the blood product demand of hospitals. These decisions include the number and locations of distribution centers (DC), as this has a strong impact on both transportation cost and the ability to deliver emergency orders in time.

Study Design and Methods

We propose a mixed‐integer linear programming approach to find optimal DC locations for supplying individual hospitals. The model maximizes the number of hospitals reachable from a DC within a given time‐limit, and minimizes transportation cost. The minimal amount of data required is a set of hospital locations. The model can be further attuned to the user's needs by adding various model extensions. The model's use is demonstrated by two case studies, considering the blood banks of the Netherlands and Finland.

Results

For both case studies re‐locating the DCs would result in a reduction of transportation cost of about 10% without affecting the reliability of delivery. In addition, to save facility exploitation costs, the number of DCs may be reduced in both countries while maintaining the reliability of delivery. The model was also shown to be robust against changes in hospital ordering behavior.

Discussion

We demonstrated the general usability and added value of the model by successfully optimizing the blood supply chains of the Netherlands and Finland, which differ substantially. Nonetheless, in both countries potential savings in both transportation and facility exploitation cost could be shown. The model code is open source and freely accessible online.
Mathematical model evaluating for degradation of azo dye in contaminated water by UV/persulfate process
Authors: DoustMohamadi Seyed Mohamad Mahdi , Vahedpour Morteza , Rasoulifard Mohammad Hossein , Heidari Azam
Published: October 2022

In the present study, the photooxidative degradation of Acid Red 14 (AR 14) was investigated in the UV/persulfate process, and the results of the degradation rate of AR 14 were parametrically represented by ordinary differential equations to find mathematical model for the degradation rate of AR 14 in this process. Our experimental observations led to a model for AR 14 degradation in the UV/persulfate system that could be used to predict removal efficiency by changes of S2O82− (X1) and dye concentration (X2), pH (X3), temperature (X4) and also distance of UV lamp from solution (X5). It was found that persulfate and dye concentrations were the most important parameters for AR 14 degradation rate. Moreover, the results showed that the degradation rate was in good agreement with the first‐order kinetics for all the parameter values studied. Moreover, the results of the mathematical model agree well with the experimental values (R2 = 0.96). Our findings in this study showed that degradation efficiency of UV/S2O82− process for AR 14 was obtained as 98%. Therefore, this model could be applicable before scaling up the AR 14 degradation using UV/persulfate process.
Oceanographic consequences of the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) opening
Authors: Liu Shan , Hernández-Molina F. Javier , Yang Chupeng , Zhang Cuimei , Huang Xiaoxia , Yin Shaoru , García Marga , Van Rooij David , Wang Ce , Zhuo Haiteng , Chen Hui , Lei Yaping , Lin Zhixuan , Luo Kunwen , Su Ming
Published: October 2022

The Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) is an important region for evaluating changes in Weddell Sea shelf waters on geological time scales because of its restricted connections to the surrounding ocean. However, the detailed oceanographic consequences of the opening of the strait remain unclear. We present bottom-current-related sedimentary features in the Bransfield Strait and examine the impact of the strait’s opening on deep-water circulation. Our findings show that the ocean circulation started to resemble that of the present day after a period of volcanic activity, possibly around the Middle Pleistocene. Coeval changes in Bransfield Strait morphology and an increase in seafloor irregularities due to the formation of volcanic chains finally determined new pathways for the Bransfield deep and bottom waters, enhanced due to the new climatic scenario of 100 k.y. cycles. The fact that “modernlike” oceanic circulation occurred only during previous interglacial periods demonstrates the significant impact of 100 k.y. climate cycles on the thermohaline changes of Antarctic deep waters. Hence, establishing a modern-day circulation model would enable researchers to assess paleoproductivity and local upwelling that have profoundly influenced the marine ecosystem of the Antarctic Peninsula after the Middle Pleistocene.
Global Ba/Nb systematics in arc magmas reflect the depths of mineral dehydration in subducted slabs
Authors: Barber Nicholas D. , Edmonds Marie , Jenner Frances , Williams Helen
Published: October 2022

The transfer of material from subducting slabs to the overlying mantle is one of the most important processes regulating Earth’s geochemical cycles. A major part of this material cycling involves slab devolatilization and the release of sediment- and slab-derived fluids to the mantle wedge, triggering melting and subsequent arc volcanism. Previous geodynamic, geophysical, and geochemical studies have revealed many important controls on fluid fluxing to the mantle and its manifestations in arc magmas. However, it remains difficult to identify the specific mineral breakdown reactions that control element fluxes from the subducting slab into the overriding mantle. To address this challenge, we combine global arc whole-rock compositional data with geophysical information (e.g., depths to slab) and thermodynamic data. We observe three peaks in Ba/Nb in global arc magma whole-rock compositions corresponding to depths to slab of 60, 120, and >290 km. Using published thermodynamic and geodynamic models of slab evolution, we show that these peaks can be linked to the progressive breakdown of hydrous minerals (e.g., epidote, actinolite, lawsonite) in subducting slabs.
Mobilization of tin during continental subduction-accretion processes
Authors: Romer Rolf L. , Kroner Uwe , Schmidt C. , Legler Claus
Published: October 2022

Major tin (Sn) deposits within the Variscan orogen are closely related to 325–270 Ma postkinematic granites that intruded the metamorphic rocks of the former precollisional accretionary wedge of the Gondwana margin. In the Erzgebirge (Germany), some of these metasedimentary rocks have high Sn contents (locally more than 1000 ppm Sn). We report cassiterite (SnO2) U-Pb ages of 395–365 Ma and high Sn contents in prograde biotite in these metasedimentary rocks. These data demonstrate that Sn was already introduced into these rocks during accretion and prograde metamorphism. Mobilization of Sn from sedimentary source rocks during prograde fluid loss in a subduction-accretion setting represents an important process of pre-enrichment of sedimentary source rocks that upon partial melting may produce Sn-enriched melts. The large-scale metamorphic mobilization of Sn, documented here for the first time, highlights the possible importance of metamorphic Sn enrichment in accretionary complexes, thereby explaining the spatial distribution of major Sn districts within the Variscan orogen.
Formal registration of visual impairment in people with diabetic retinopathy significantly underestimates the scale of the problem: a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care eye hospital service in the UK
Authors: Olvera-Barrios Abraham , Mishra Amit V , Schwartz Roy , Khatun Mumina , Seltene Michael , Rutkowska Celestine , Rudnicka Alicja R , Owen Christopher G , Tufail Adnan , A Egan Catherine
Published: October 2022

Aims

To analyse the prevalence of visual impairment (VI), compare it to certification of visual impairment (CVI) and analyse VI associations in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

Retrospective cohort study, which included 8007 patients with DR referred from the English diabetic eye screening programme to a tertiary referral eye hospital. Main outcome measure was VI, defined as vision in the best eye of <6/24. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression for VI as primary outcome of interest, controlling for age, sex, type of diabetes, baseline DR grade, ethnicity and index of multiple deprivation (IMD).

Results

Mean age was 64.5 (SD 13.6) years; 61% of patients were men; and 31% of South Asian ethnicity. There were 68 patients with CVI during the study period, and 84% (272/325) of patients with VI did not have CVI after a mean follow-up of 1.87 (SD ±0.86) years. Older age showed a positive association with VI (OR per decade rise 1.88, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.08; p=1.8×10
–34
). Men had a lower risk of VI (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.79, p=6.0×10
–5
), and less deprivation had a graded inverse association with VI (OR per IMD category increase 0.83, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.93, p value for linear trend 0.002).

Conclusion

The majority of people with vision impairment are not registered at the point of care, which could translate to underestimation of diabetes-related VI and all-cause VI at a national level if replicated at other centres. Further work is needed to explore rates of VI and uptake of registration.
Population-based investigation of common and deviating patterns of gastric cancer and oesophageal cancer incidence across populations and time
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Park Jin Young , Sheikh Mahdi , Kayamba Violet , Rumgay Harriet , Jenab Mazda , Narh Clement Tetteh , Abedi-Ardekani Behnoush , Morgan Eileen , de Martel Catherine , McCormack Valerie , Arnold Melina
Published: October 2022

Background

The subtypes of gastric cancer (GC) and oesophageal cancer (EC) manifest distinct epidemiological profiles. Here, we aim to examine correlations in their incidence rates and to compare their temporal changes globally, both overall and by subtype.

Methods

Long-term incidence data were obtained from population-based registries available from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series. Variation in the occurrence of EC and GC (overall and by subtype) was assessed using the GC:EC ratio of sex-specific age-standardised rates (ASR) in 2008–2012. Average annual per cent changes were estimated to assess temporal trends during 1998–2012.

Results

ASRs for GC and EC varied remarkably across and within world regions. In the countries evaluated, the GC:EC ratio in men exceeded 10 in several South American countries, Algeria and Republic of Korea, while EC dominated in most sub-Saharan African countries. High rates of both cardia gastric cancer and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) were observed in several Asian populations. Non-cardia gastric cancer rates correlated positively with ESCC rates (r=0.60) and negatively with EAC (r=−0.79). For the time trends, while GC incidence has been uniformly decreasing by on average 2%–3% annually over 1998–2012 in most countries, trends for EC depend strongly on histology, with several but not all countries experiencing increases in EAC and decreases in ESCC.

Conclusions

Correlations between GC and EC incidence rates across populations are positive or inverse depending on the GC subsite and EC subtype. Multisite studies that include a combination of populations whose incidence rates follow and deviate from these patterns may be aetiologically informative.
MALAT1 promotes platelet activity and thrombus formation through PI3k/Akt/GSK-3β signalling pathway
Authors: Sun Yeying , Wang Tao , Lv Yan , Li Jiahua , Jiang Xiaoli , Jiang Jing , Zhang Daolai , Bian Weihua , Zhang Chunxiang
Published: October 2022

Background

Ischaemic stroke and other cardiovascular illnesses are characterised by abnormalities in the processes of thrombosis and haemostasis, which rely on platelet activity. In platelets, a wide variety of microRNAs (long non-coding RNA, lncRNAs) is found. Due to the absence of nuclear DNA in platelets, lncRNAs may serve as critical post-transcriptional regulators of platelet activities. However, research into the roles of lncRNAs in platelets is limited.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the molecular mechanism by which MALAT1 affects platelet activity and thrombus formation.

Methods/results

The CD34+megakaryocytes used in this research as an in vitro model for human megakaryocytes and platelets. Cell adhesion and spreading are enhanced in the absence and presence of agonists in CD34+megakaryocytes subjected to MALAT1 knockdown (KD). The adhesion and activity of platelet-like particles produced by MALAT1 KD cells are significantly enhanced at rest and after thrombin activation. Thrombus development on a collagen matrix is also greatly enhanced in the microfluidic whole-blood perfusion model: platelets lacking MALAT1 exhibit elevated accumulation, distributing area and activity. In addition, MALAT1-deficient mice bleed less and form a stable occlusive thrombus more quickly than wild-type mice. PTEN and PDK1 regulated the activity of MALAT1 in platelets to carry out its PI3k/Akt/GSK-3β signalling pathway-related function.

Conclusion

The suppression of MALAT1 expression significantly increases platelet adhesion, spreading, platelet activity, and thrombus formation. lncRNAs may constitute a unique class of platelet function modulators.
Mapping the maximum peat thickness of cultivated organic soils in the southwest plain of Montreal
Authors: Deragon Raphaël , Saurette Daniel D. , Heung Brandon , Caron Jean
Published: October 2022

Large organic deposits in the southwestern plain of Montreal have been converted to agricultural land for vegetable production. In addition to the variable depth of the organic deposits, these soils commonly have an impermeable coprogenous layer between the peat and the underlying mineral substratum. Estimations of the depth and thickness of these materials are critical for soil management. Therefore, five drained and cultivated peatlands were studied to estimate their maximum peat thickness (MPT)—a potential key soil property that can help identify management zones for their conservation. MPT can be defined as the depth to the mineral layer (DML) minus the coprogenous layer thickness (CLT). The objective of this study was to estimate DML, CLT, and MPT at a regional scale using environmental covariates derived from remote sensing. Three machine-learning models (Cubist, Random Forest, and k-Nearest Neighbor) were compared to produce maps of DML and CLT, which were combined to generate MPT at a spatial resolution of 10 m. The Cubist model performed the best for predicting both features of interest, yielding Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients of 0.43 and 0.07 for DML and CLT, respectively, using a spatial cross-validation procedure. Interpretation of the drivers of CLT was limited by the poor predictive power of the final model. More precise data on MPT are needed to support soil conservation practices, and more CLT field observations are required to obtain a higher prediction accuracy. Nonetheless, digital soil mapping using open-access geospatial data shows promise for understanding and managing cultivated peatlands.