bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
De Quervain Subacute Thyroiditis With Moderate PSMA Uptake Mimicking Thyroid Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Leder Theresa , Drescher Robert , Gühne Falk , Theis Bernhard , Freesmeyer Martin
Published: October 2021

PSMA-targeted PET/CT can be used for diagnosis and staging of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. A 68-year-old woman with suspected hepatic metastases from clear cell renal cell carcinoma underwent PET/CT with 68Ga-PSMA, which showed a focus of moderately increased tracer uptake in the right thyroid lobe. Sonography displayed a correlating hypoechogenic, ill-defined node (TIRADS 5). Right hemithyroidectomy was performed in the assumption of a solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. Histologic examination revealed subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (De Quervain thyroiditis) without evidence of malignancy.
Anthropometric Cranial Measurements in Metopic Craniosynostosis/Trigonocephaly: Diagnostic Criteria, Classification of Severity and Indications for Surgery
Authors: Sisti Andrea , Bassiri Gharb Bahar , Papay Frank , Rampazzo Antonio
Published: October 2021

Metopic craniosynostosis is the second most frequent type of craniosynostosis. When the phenotypic presentation has been deemed severe the treatment is surgical in nature and is performed in infancy with fronto-orbital advancement and cranial vault remodeling. At the time of this writing, there is no consensus regarding an objective evaluation system for severity, diagnostic criteria, or indications for surgery. This study aims to review the anthropometric cranial measurements and the relative diagnostic criteria/classification of severity/surgical indications proposed so far for this skull malformation, and to investigate if there is any scientific support for their utility.
A Rare Cause of Respiratory Distress in Newborn: Huge Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma; Patient Report
Authors: Cicek Mehmet Turan , Bayindir Tuba , Aslan Mehmet , Sigirci Ahmet , Gunduz Emrah
Published: October 2021

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma is a rare benign tumor of the sinonasal tract in pediatrics and only few cases in infantile, early pediatric, and adolescent population have been reported. Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma commonly presents as respiratory difficulty, intranasal mass, or facial swelling and typically arises from the nasal septum or vestibule, lest frequently maxillary or ethmoid sinuses, orbit, nasopharynx, and oropharynx. The authors report a case of nasal chondromesench- ymal hamartoma that caused respiratory distress since birth, in a 4- week-old (28 days) infant which was arised from the medial aspect of the middle turbinate, an unexpected localization.
Microsurgical Head and Neck Reconstruction in Patients With Fanconi Anemia
Authors: Wright Matthew A. , Kutler David I. , Reeve Gwendolyn S. , Spector Jason A.
Published: October 2021

Patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) are at increased risk for head and neck cancers that often necessitate extensive reconstructions. Such patients have multiple comorbidities including anemia and thrombocytopenia frequently requiring bone marrow transplant, and they are at an increased risk of cancer recurrence and need for further extirpation. in the present study, charts from 3 patients with FA who underwent microvascular free tissue transfer by the senior author were retrospectively reviewed for pertinent pre- and peri-operative details in addition to functional and cosmetic outcomes. Two of these patients ultimately required metachronous free flap reconstructions for recurrence. All patients had acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes following each instance of free flap reconstruction, thereby demonstrating the utility of microvas- cular free tissue transfer in patients with FA. The authors herein present each patient's clinical history in addition to a discussion of the current literature and an outline of our approach to these challenging cases.
Creation of a Novel Hands-on Model to Teach Breast Tanner Staging to Pediatric Learners
Authors: Kadakia Rachel , O’Brien Ellie , Habiby Reema
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Pubertal Tanner staging is a standard part of the pediatric physical examination and provides valuable insight into a child's growth and development. In practice, pediatric care practitioners have varying levels of confidence and expertise with Tanner staging. Currently, breast Tanner staging is taught via illustrated images or limited hands-on practice on real patients during pediatric residency training.

Methods

We used synthetic materials to develop a lifelike, 3-dimensional, hands-on educational tool aimed at teaching medical students and pediatric resident physicians how to identify and distinguish among the 5 breast Tanner stages. This tool was evaluated by a group of experienced pediatric endocrinologists.

Results

Thirty pediatric endocrinologists with an average of 16.7 years of clinical experience evaluated the model, and all participants believed the model was a valuable teaching tool for medical students and pediatric resident physicians. Tanner stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were correctly identified by 100%, 93%, 90%, 100%, and 73% of participants, respectively.

Conclusions

We show that the use of a synthetic, 3-dimensional, lifelike breast model to teach breast Tanner staging may be valuable within the context of pediatric medical education. Further refinement of the model as well as curriculum development and evaluation is necessary before broadly disseminating this model as an educational tool.
A scoping review and comparison of approaches for measuring genetic heterogeneity in psychiatric disorders
Authors: Wang Harvey , Alda Martin , Trappenberg Thomas , Nunes Abraham
Published: October 2021

An improved understanding of genetic etiological heterogeneity in a psychiatric condition may help us (a) isolate a neurophysiological ‘final common pathway’ by identifying its upstream genetic origins and (b) facilitate characterization of the condition’s phenotypic variation. This review aims to identify existing genetic heterogeneity measurements in the psychiatric literature and provides a conceptual review of their mechanisms, limitations, and assumptions. The Scopus database was searched for studies that quantified genetic heterogeneity or correlation of psychiatric phenotypes with human genetic data. Ninety studies were included. Eighty-seven reports quantified genetic correlation, five applied genomic structural equation modelling, three evaluated departure from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at one or more loci, and two applied a novel approach known as MiXeR. We found no study that rigorously measured genetic etiological heterogeneity across a large number of markers. Developing such approaches may help better characterize the biological diversity of psychopathology.
Information decomposition in the frequency domain: a new framework to study cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory oscillations
Authors: Faes Luca , Pernice Riccardo , Mijatovic Gorana , Antonacci Yuri , Krohova Jana Cernanova , Javorka Michal , Porta Alberto
Published: October 2021

While cross-spectral and information-theoretic approaches are widely used for the multivariate analysis of physiological time series, their combined utilization is far less developed in the literature. This study introduces a framework for the spectral decomposition of multivariate information measures, which provides frequency-specific quantifications of the information shared between a target and two source time series and of its expansion into amounts related to how the sources contribute to the target dynamics with unique, redundant and synergistic information. The framework is illustrated in simulations of linearly interacting stochastic processes, showing how it allows us to retrieve amounts of information shared by the processes within specific frequency bands which are otherwise not detectable by time-domain information measures, as well as coupling features which are not detectable by spectral measures. Then, it is applied to the time series of heart period, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure and respiration variability measured in healthy subjects monitored in the resting supine position and during head-up tilt. We show that the spectral measures of unique, redundant and synergistic information shared by these variability series, integrated within specific frequency bands of physiological interest and reflect the mechanisms of short-term regulation of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory oscillations and their alterations induced by the postural stress.

This article is part of the theme issue 'Advanced computation in cardiovascular physiology: new challenges and opportunities'.
Geographic Disparities and Predictors of COVID-19 Hospitalization Risk in the St. Louis Area, Missouri (USA)
Authors: Igoe Morganne , Das Praachi , Lenhart Suzanne , Lloyd Alun L. , Luong Lan , Tian Dajun , Lanzas Cristina , Odoi Agricola
Published: October 2021

Background

COVID-19 has overwhelmed the US healthcare system, with over 44 million cases and over 700,000 deaths as of October 6, 2021. There is evidence that some communities are disproportionately affected. This may result in geographic disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization risk that, if identified, could guide control efforts. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)-level geographic disparities and identify predictors of COVID-19 hospitalization risk in the St. Louis area.

Methods

Hospitalization data for COVID-19 and several chronic diseases were obtained from the Missouri Hospital Association. ZCTA-level data on socioeconomic and demographic factors were obtained from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey. Age-adjusted COVID-19 and several chronic disease hospitalization risks were calculated. Geographic disparities in distribution of COVID-19 age-adjusted hospitalization risk, socioeconomic and demographic factors as well as chronic disease risks were investigated using choropleth maps. Predictors of ZCTA-level COVID-19 hospitalization risks were investigated using global negative binomial and local geographically weighted negative binomial models.

Results

There were geographic disparities of COVID-19 hospitalization risks. COVID-19 hospitalization risks were significantly higher in ZCTAs with high diabetes hospitalization risks (p<0.0001), high risks of COVID-19 cases (p<0.0001), as well as high percentages of black population (p=0.0416) and populations with some college education (p=0.0005). The coefficients of the first three predictors varied across ZCTAs, implying that the associations between COVID-19 hospitalization risks and these predictors varied by geographic location. This implies that a “one-size-fits-all” approach may not be appropriate for management and control.

Conclusions

There is evidence of geographic disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization risks that are driven by differences in socioeconomic, demographic and health-related factors. The impacts of these factors vary by geographical location with some factors being more important predictors in some locales than others. Use of both global and local models leads to a better understanding of the determinants of geographic disparities in health outcomes and utilization of health services. These findings are useful for informing health planning to identify geographic areas likely to have high numbers of individuals needing hospitalization as well as guiding vaccination efforts.
Improving sampling of crystallographic disorder in ensemble refinement
Authors: Ploscariu Nicoleta , Burnley Tom , Gros Piet , Pearce Nicholas M.
Published: October 2021

Ensemble refinement, the application of molecular dynamics to crystallographic refinement, explicitly models the disorder inherent in macromolecular structures. These ensemble models have been shown to produce more accurate structures than traditional single-model structures. However, suboptimal sampling of the molecular-dynamics simulation and modelling of crystallographic disorder has limited the utility of the method, and can lead to unphysical and strained models. Here, two improvements to the ensemble refinement method implemented within Phenix are presented: DEN restraints, which guide the local sampling of conformations and allow a more robust exploration of local conformational landscapes, and ECHT disorder models, which allow the selection of more physically meaningful and effective disorder models for parameterizing the continuous disorder components within a crystal. These improvements lead to more consistent and physically interpretable simulations of macromolecules in crystals, and allow structural heterogeneity and disorder to be systematically explored on different scales. The new approach is demonstrated on several case studies and the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, and demonstrates how the choice of disorder model affects the type of disorder that is sampled by the restrained molecular-dynamics simulation.
Accountingization, colonization and hybridization in historical perspective: the relationship between hospital accounting and clinical medicine in late 20th century Britain
Authors: Gebreiter Florian
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the historical background of accountingization, colonization and hybridization in the health services by exploring the relationship between hospital accounting and clinical medicine in Britain between the late 1960s and the early 2000s.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on an analysis of professional journals, government reports and other documentary sources relating to accounting and medical developments. It is informed by Abbott's sociology of professions and Eyal's sociology of expertise.

Findings

The paper shows that not only accountants but also elements within the medical profession sought to make the practice of medicine more visible, calculable and standardized, and that accounting and medical attempts to make medicine calculable interacted in a mutually reinforcing manner. Consequently, it argues that a movement towards clinical forms of quantification within the medical profession made it more open to economic calculation, which underpinned hospital accounting reforms and the accountingization, colonization or hybridization of health services.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that a fuller understanding of the relationship between accounting and public sector professions can be developed if we examine their mutual interactions rather than restricting ourselves to analyzing accounting's effects on public sector professions. The paper moreover illustrates instances of intraprofessional conflict and inter-professional cooperation, and draws on the sociology of expertise to suggests that while hospital accounting reforms have curbed the power of medical professionals, they have also enhanced the power of clinical expertise.
Using role play to develop an empathetic mindset in executive education
Authors: Hoe Siu Loon , Greulich-Smith Tamsin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of a role play activity as part of an experiential instructional strategy to develop an empathetic mindset among professionals, managers and executives attending an executive education program in change management.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an approach and process for management educators and facilitators of executive education programs to introduce and teach role play for the busy executives to learn about empathy.

Findings

Role play is a useful teaching method that helps adult learners understand the importance of seeing things from another person’s point of view especially within a short period of time.

Practical implications

Management educators and facilitators could introduce and teach role play for the busy executives to learn about empathy based on the proposed approach and process in this paper.

Originality/value

This paper provides an approach and process for management educators and facilitators of executive education programs to introduce and teach role play for the busy executives to learn about empathy especially within a short a period of time.
The changing determinants of tourists’ repurchase intention: the case of short-term rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Braje Ivana Načinović , Pechurina Anna , Bıçakcıoğlu-Peynirci Nilay , Miguel Cristina , Alonso-Almeida María del Mar , Giglio Carlo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Adopting Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour theoretical framework, this paper aims to explore repurchase intentions among short-term rental users and changes in determinants of repurchase intention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the research was collected via a cross-country quantitative survey (N = 1,433) in five European countries: Croatia, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the UK during 2020. Trust, perceived value, authenticity and perceived risk were incorporated into the structural equation model as part of an integrated analysis of antecedents of repurchase intention.

Findings

Perceived value and authenticity are the key drivers of a positive attitude to repurchase of short-term rentals even after the pandemic. The pandemic modified the role of perceived risk in determining attitude towards short-term rentals as perceived risks could negatively affect attitude and repurchase intention after COVID-19. Trust in the platform and the host became a significant determinant of repurchase intentions after the spread of COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis has shown the link between attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and repurchase intention, and has thus demonstrated a successful application of the theory of planned behaviour to short-term rental users.

Originality/value

The results of this study suggest a possible reconceptualisation of repurchase determinants due to the pandemic. The study offers a timely contribution to the research on the impact of the pandemic on the determinants of tourists’ repurchase intentions.
Economic policy uncertainty and investors' sentiment—an Indian perspective
Authors: Idnani Sohil , Adil Masudul Hasan , Mal Hoshiar , Kolte Ashutosh
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the effect of a change in Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) of India and the USA on investors' sentiment in the Indian context, consisting of Sensex returns and volatility index (Vix).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ bounds testing approach to cointegration to capture the short-and long-run effects of EPU on investors' sentiment, along with impulse response functions and variance decompositions to check the effect of a shock on Sensex and Vix.

Findings

The study concludes the existence of a cointegrating relationship for both models, that is, Vix and Sensex. In the long-run, changes in EPU_India affect Vix and Sensex positively and negatively, respectively. On the other hand, EPU_USA affects Vix and Sensex positively. Furthermore, Gregory and Hansen (1996) cointegration with endogenous structural break reveals a long-run cointegrating relationship for both models.

Research limitations/implications

The effect of EPUs on investors' sentiment reveals that when there is an uncertain event that adversely affects the stock prices, investors should not make haste to take a decision as the impact on stock prices perturbation might be temporary. Therefore, one should persevere for the dip in prices to hit the desired target.

Originality/value

Various studies look at the effect of cross-country EPU on the home country, However, there is no such study in the Indian context. The present study examines the impact of India's EPU on investors' sentiments after controlling the USA's EPU, one of India's largest trading partners and a key determinant of global economic policy.
Operations in the upper echelons: leading sustainability through stewardship
Authors: Bendoly Elliot , Bachrach Daniel G. , Esper Terry L. , Blanco Christian , Iversen Jane , Yin Yong
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Top-level operations leaders can drive organizational performance across a broad range of pro-environmental objectives. The authors’ focus is on understanding which specific leadership competencies are most conducive to green performance outcomes. The authors further consider the influence of Lean thinking on the importance of these competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

In study 1, of a multi-method investigation, the authors interview executive search professionals, on how green objectives impact top-level operations leadership searches. In study 2, the authors adopt a multi-attribute choice task to examine how Lean thinking impacts competency preferences. Finally, in study 3, the authors merge secondary data on corporate environmental performance with a survey of top-level operations managers’ assessments. This triangulating multi-method approach provides an integrated and holistic view into these dynamics.

Findings

Results show particularly strong associations between resource and energy management outcomes and the specific leadership competencies of stewardship. This set of leadership competencies play the greatest role when Lean thinking is deficient.

Research limitations/implications

While the authors’ focus is on top-level operations managers, and their under-explored impact on environmental performance, such an impact represents only one dimension of corporate social responsibility (CSR) that these managers may be critically influencing.

Practical implications

The associations uncovered in this research suggest critical leadership characteristics to consider in developing and recruiting top-level operations managers, when specific environmental objectives exist.

Social implications

The study’s findings draw attention to the importance of leadership characteristics among influential corporate decision-makers, instrumental in the environmental progress of firms.

Originality/value

This work fills a critical gap in the authors’ understanding of how top-level operations managers influence green corporate objective, and how their contributions are valued across settings.
How industry and occupational stereotypes shape consumers' trust, value and loyalty judgments concerning service brands
Authors: Gidaković Petar , Zabkar Vesna
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Longitudinal studies have shown that consumer satisfaction has increased over the last 15 years, whereas trust and loyalty have decreased during the same period. This finding contradicts the trust–value–loyalty model (TVLM), which posits that higher satisfaction increases consumers' trust, value and loyalty levels. To explain this counterintuitive trend, this study draws on models of trust formation to integrate the stereotype content model and the TVLM. It argues that consumers' occupational and industry stereotypes influence their trust, value and loyalty judgments through their trusting beliefs regarding frontline employees and management practices/policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted among 476 consumers who were randomly assigned to one of five service industries (apparel retail, airlines, hotels, health insurance or telecommunications services) and asked to rate their current service provider from that industry.

Findings

The results suggest that both occupational and industry stereotypes influence consumers' trusting beliefs and trust judgments, although only the effects of industry stereotypes are transferred to consumers' loyalty judgments.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study indicate that industry stereotypes have become increasingly negative over the last decades, which has a dampening effect on the positive effects of satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study provides guidelines for practitioners regarding the management of frontline employees and the development of consumer trust, value and loyalty.

Originality/value

This is the first study to propose and test an explanation for the counterintuitive trend concerning customer satisfaction, trust and loyalty. It is also the first to examine the roles of multiple stereotypes in the relationship between consumers and service providers.
Manufacturing process-driven structured materials (MPDSMs): design and fabrication for extrusion-based additive manufacturing
Authors: Patterson Albert E. , Chadha Charul , Jasiuk Iwona M.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the design and fabrication of meso-scale Manufacturing Process-Driven Structured Materials (MPDSMs). These are designed, architected materials where the prime design requirement is manufacturability. The concepts are applied to those fabricated using fused deposition modeling or fused filament fabrication (FDM/FFF), a thermoplastic polymer additive manufacturing (AM) process. Three case studies were presented to demonstrate the approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consists of four main sections; the first developed the MPDSMs concept, the second explored manufacturability requirements for FDM/FFF in terms of MPDSMs, the third presented a practical application framework and the final sections provided some case studies and closing remarks.

Findings

The main contributions of this study were the definition and development of the MDPSMs concept, the application framework and the original case studies. While it is most practical to use a well-defined AM process to first explore the concepts, the MPDSMs approach is neither limited to AM nor thermoplastic polymer materials nor meso-scale material structures. Future research should focus on applications in other areas.

Originality/value

The MPDSMs approach as presented in this concept paper is a novel method for the design of structured materials where manufacturability is the prime requirement. It is distinct from classic design-for-manufacturability concepts in that the design space is limited to manufacturable design candidates before the other requirements are satisfied. This removes a significant amount of schedule and costs risk from the design process, as all the designs produced are manufacturable within the problem tolerance.
Velázquez and the Fragile Portrait of the King
Authors: Jasienski Adam
Published: October 2021

In Diego Velázquez's Portrait of Juan Martínez Montañés, a sculptor models a bust of king Philip IV. Whereas the figure of the sitter, and even the background, are highly finished, the bust is sketched in the most general of outlines. The painting's purposeful incompleteness, this essay argues, stems from Velázquez's experience as a censor of royal portraits. These images were subjected to strictures because they were said to be surrogates of the monarch rather than mere representations. By suspending work on the king's bust in the painting, Velázquez astutely fulfilled the demands of depicting a fellow artist at work on his most important commission, while circumventing the subtle codes for making royal images. Although there was concern that the larger corpus of kingly portraiture could be destabilized by exemplars that did not fit its general parameters, individual artists and monarchs actually developed idiosyncratic solutions for representing the king with some frequency. Velázquez's portrait, which represents one such solution, is examined alongside, and contrasted against, a number of other examples, in order to demonstrate the flexibility of this seemingly rigid image type.
Early childhood inclusion in the land of the long white cloud: a way forward for New Zealand
Authors: Zhang Kaili C. , Li Qin
Published: October 2021

To examine the current status of early childhood inclusive education in New Zealand, this article highlights the country's overall structure of inclusive education and other services for individuals with special needs. The unique features of early childhood special education services are also highlighted. Challenges to enhance the quality of education and services for young children with special needs, as well as future possibilities in New Zealand, are also discussed.
Risk factors for surgical complications after anatomic lung resections in the era of VATS and ERAS
Authors: Galata Christian , Karampinis Ioannis , Roessner Eric D. , Stamenovic Davor
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for surgical complications after anatomic lung resections in the era of video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive adult patients who underwent elective anatomic lung resections between January and December 2020 at our institution was performed.

Results

Eighty patients (40 VATS, 40 thoracotomy) were included. The 30‐day mortality rate was 1.3%. The overall rate of major postoperative complications was 18.8%. Most major complications occurred in patients who underwent open surgery (complication rate 32.5%, share of total complications 86.7%). Major morbidity after VATS resection was rare (complication rate 2.5%, share of total complications 13.3%). In univariable analysis, thoracotomy (p = 0.003), impaired preoperative lung function (p = 0.003), complex surgery (p = 0.004) and sleeve resection (p = 0.037) were associated with adverse outcomes. In multivariable analysis, thoracotomy (p = 0.044) and impaired preoperative lung function (p = 0.028) were the only independent risk factors for major postoperative morbidity.

Conclusion

Thoracotomy was associated with a 10‐fold increased risk for postoperative complications compared with minimally invasive surgery and was an independent risk factor for surgical complications. In the era of VATS and ERAS, the fact that thoracotomy is performed may be a reliable parameter to identify patients at risk for postoperative complications.
Structural and allergenic properties of the fatty acid binding protein from shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Múnera Marlon , Martínez Dalgys , Wortmann Judith , Zakzuk Josefina , Keller Walter , Caraballo Luis , Puerta Leonardo
Published: October 2021

Background

The shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is an important source of food allergens but its allergenic repertoire is poorly characterized. Cross‐reactivity between crustacean and mites has been reported, with tropomyosin, the most relevant allergen involved. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural and immunological properties of a recombinant Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP) family from L. vannamei (LvFABP).

Methods

ELISA, skin prick test (SPT) and basophil activation assays were performed to determine IgE reactivity and allergenic activity of LvFABP. LC‐MS/MS and Circular Dichroism experiments were done for structural analysis. B‐cell epitope mapping with overlapping peptides, and cross‐inhibition studies using human sera were done to identify antigenic regions and cross‐reactivity.

Results

The recombinant LvFABP bound serum IgE from 27% of 36 shrimp allergic patients and showed allergenic activity when tested for basophil activation and SPT in a selected number of them. CD‐spectroscopy of LvFABP revealed that the protein is folded with a secondary structure composed of mainly β‐strands and a smaller fraction of α helices. This is consistent with molecular modelling results, which exhibit a typical β barrel fold with two α‐helices and ten β‐strands. Epitope mapping identified two IgE‐binding antigenic regions and inhibition assays found high cross‐reactivity between LvFABP and Blo t 13, mediated by the antigenic region involving amino acids 54 to 72.

Conclusions

Our results show that LvFABP is a shrimp allergen that cross reacts with the house dust mite allergen Blo t 13 and has allergenic activity, which suggest that it could be clinically relevant in case of shellfish allergy. This new allergen, named Lit v 13, will also help to understand basic mechanisms of sensitization to shrimp.
Obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) deficiency is associated with delayed gastric emptying
Authors: Seelig Eleonora , Henning Elana , Keogh Julia M. , Gillett Daniel , Shin Evelyn , Buscombe John , van der Klaauw Agatha A. , Farooqi I. Sadaf
Published: October 2021

Objective

People who are severely obese due to melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4R) deficiency experience hyperphagia and impaired fullness after a meal (satiety). Meal‐induced satiety is influenced by hormones, such as peptide‐YY (PYY), which are released by enteroendocrine cells upon nutrient delivery to the small intestine.

Design

We investigated whether gastric emptying and PYY levels are altered in MC4R deficiency.

Methods

Gastric emptying was measured with a gastric scintigraphy protocol using technetium‐99m (99Tcm)‐Tin Colloid for 3.5 h in individuals with loss of function MC4R variants and a control group of similar age and weight. In a separate study, we measured plasma PYY levels before and at multiple time points after three standardised meals given to individuals with MC4R deficiency and controls. Fasting PYY (basal secretion) and postprandial PYY levels were measured and the area under the curve and inter‐meal peak were calculated.

Results

We found that gastric emptying time was significantly delayed and percentage meal retention increased in individuals with MC4R deficiency compared to obese controls. In addition, fasting and mean PYY secretion throughout the day were decreased in MC4R deficiency, whereas postprandial PYY secretion was unaltered.

Conclusion

Delayed gastric emptying and reduced basal PYY secretion may contribute to impaired satiety in people with obesity due to MC4R deficiency.
Village modernization may contribute more to farmland bird declines than agricultural intensification
Authors: Rosin Zuzanna M. , Pärt Tomas , Low Matthew , Kotowska Dorota , Tobolka Marcin , Szymański Paweł , Hiron Matthew
Published: October 2021

The central tenet of European farmland ecology is that agricultural intensification during the 20th century was largely responsible for dramatic declines in species abundances. However, during this time, human rural settlements were also undergoing radical changes through modernization, with undocumented biodiversity impacts in this important wildlife habitat. We performed the first ever large‐scale study to disentangle the impact of these simultaneous processes on farmland bird diversity in 104 Polish villages. We show that modernized villages and their surrounding agricultural fields had 50–60% fewer birds than those in and around comparable older villages. The relative contribution of modernization versus agricultural intensification to predicted bird declines was 88% versus 12% for bird communities in villages and 56% versus 44% in surrounding croplands, with considerable variation among ecological species subgroups. These results challenge our current understanding of agricultural ecosystem ecology and how best to implement conservation measures costing billions of euros annually.
Partial acquisition and patent licensing in an asymmetric duopoly
Authors: Niu Shuai , Wang Meiling
Published: October 2021

This paper analyzes partial ownership arrangements in a heterogenous‐goods duopoly market with subsequent two‐part tariff licensing. The equilibrium under patent licensing is inefficient in the sense that there is an excessive concentration of production in the licensor. A partial ownership arrangement, under which the low‐cost firm holds a partial interest in the high‐cost firm, decreases the competitive incentives of the low‐cost firm. In addition, it decreases the equilibrium royalty rate under patent licensing. Both effects contribute to the improvement of the production distribution in the duopoly market. Consequently, a partial acquisition occurring before patent licensing may be both profitable and welfare‐improving.
Leading women in respiratory medicine: Letter from Japan
Authors: Shimizu Kaoruko , Nagai Katsura
Published: October 2021

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Tendoscopic peritendon shaving of midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Kaalund Søren , Kjær Søren G. , Rathleff Michael S. , Fredberg Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Achilles tendinopathy is among the most frequent tendon injuries in sport. Despite evidence‐based management, a significant proportion of patients continue to experience symptoms. This is the first randomized trial to investigate the effect of tendoscopic treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy compared with placebo at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Patients with midportion Achilles tendinopathy (non‐responsive to more than 6 months of nonsurgical treatments) were randomly assigned to receive either tendoscopic peritendon shaving or placebo tendoscopic treatment. The primary outcome measure was the total score of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Achilles (VISA‐A) questionnaire. Due to three adverse events (sural nerve injuries), in the group receiving tendoscopic treatment, the trial was stopped short of the planned 48 participants. All 23 patients included completed 3 months’ follow‐up (100%), 22 (96%) 6 months' and 19 (83%) completed 12 months' follow‐up. The between‐group estimates favored endoscopic treatment and ranged from 19 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1–38) at 3 months, 14 points (−7 to 34) at 6 months and 5 points (95% CI: −19 to 28) at 12 months. After 12 months, the tendoscopic group improved 47 points (95% CI: 29–65) versus 40 points (95% CI: 22–57) in the placebo‐operated group. Despite a smaller sample size due to adverse events, VISA‐A indicate faster recovery from tendoscopic treatment compared to placebo. These data suggest that tendoscopic treatment of midportion Achilles tendinopathy should be tested in further research; however, the technique needs to be refined to avoid sural nerve injuries.
The role of biochar in improving soil properties, water retention and potato yield in a Fluvisol under temperate monsoon climate
Authors: Kassaye Kassu Tadesse , Boulange Julien , Kurebito Soboda , Tokunari Takeo , Saito Hirotaka , Watanabe Hirozumi
Published: October 2021

Soil amendment with biochar provides great potential for improving soil fertility. This study, conducted in Kanazawa, Japan, in 2018, evaluated the effects of soil amendment with biochar, carbonized from animal manure and slaughterhouse wastes, on some properties of a loamy sand‐textured Fluvisol and yield performance of potatoes. The laboratory experiment investigated the effects of biochar (0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% (w/w)) on soil properties and water retention. The field experiment combined three biochar application rates (0, 2 and 4 t ha−1) with three mineral fertilizer rates (0%, 50% and 100% recommended nutrients from mineral fertilizers, (RNPK)). The treatments were applied in randomized complete blocks with three replicates. Soil amendment at the rates of 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% biochar (w/w) (i) reduced bulk densities by 1%–22%; (ii) increased soil porosity by 1%–16%; (iii) increased readily available soil water (RAW) by 10%–40%; and (iv) enabled 1–5 days more retention of the soil water content within the range of RAW. The combined application of 2 or 4 t ha−1 biochar with 100% RNPK increased yield by 219%–313% and 295%–340%, and increased water use efficiency (WUE) of potato by 59%–98% and 129%–163% under optimal irrigation conditions relative to the sole application of biochar and the control treatments, respectively. Considering agricultural and environmental sustainability, the integrated application of 2–4 t ha−1 biochar with a full dose of nutrients from mineral fertilizers is recommended for the loamy sand‐textured Fluvisol of the North‐central coast of Japan and other similar agroecologies.
A framework for integrating the terrestrial carbon stock of estates in institutional carbon management plans
Authors: Wang Jiaqian , Werner David , Manning David A. C.
Published: October 2021

Many institutions have substantial landholdings, but few consider soil carbon preservation and augmentation in their carbon management plans. A methodical framework was developed to analyse terrestrial carbon stocks (soil and tree biomass) for credible carbon offsetting strategies in institutional land. This approach was demonstrated at two farms (805 hectares) managed by Newcastle University. Soil carbon for three depths (0–30 cm, 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm) and above‐ground tree biomass were quantified. These data provided a terrestrial carbon baseline to evaluate future land management options and effects. Historical land‐use records enabled the following comparisons: (1) agricultural land vs. woodland; (2) arable land vs. permanent grassland; (3) organic vs. conventional farming; (4) coniferous vs. broadleaved woodland; and (5) recent vs. long‐established woodland. Carbon storage (kg/m2) varied with land usage and woodland type and age, but only agricultural land vs. woodland, and for agriculture, arable land vs. permanent grassland, significantly affected the 0–90 cm soil carbon. At the university‐managed farms, current terrestrial carbon stocks were 103,620 tonnes in total (98,050 tonnes from the 0–90 cm soil and 5,569 tonnes from tree biomass). These terrestrial carbon stocks were equivalent to sixteen years of the current carbon emissions of Newcastle University (6,406 tonnes CO2 equivalents‐C per year). Using strategies for alternative land management, Newcastle University could over 40 years offset up to 3,221 tonnes of carbon per year, or 50% of its carbon emissions at the current rate. The methodological framework developed in this study will enable institutions having large landholdings to rationally consider their estates in future soil carbon management schemes.
Effect of the first year of COVID‐19 pandemic on the collection and use of blood components in Colombia monitored through the national haemovigilance system
Authors: Bermúdez‐Forero María‐Isabel , Soto‐Viáfara Jonathan‐Andrés , Gardeazábal‐Acuña Paula‐Andrea , Anzola‐Samudio Diego‐Alexander , García‐Otálora Michel‐Andrés
Published: October 2021

Objective

This work aimed to establish the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on blood collection and blood product usage at the end of the first year.

Background

The arrival of SARS‐CoV‐2 to Colombia on March 6, 2020, triggered closure of borders and mandatory lockdown from March 23, 2020.

Methods/Materials

The Colombian National Institute of Health administers the National database of confirmed cases of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the National Haemovigilance System. We examined positive SARS‐CoV‐2 cases identified between March 6, 2020, and March 6, 2021, using positive RT‐PCR testing (72.8%) or reactive antigen (27.2%). We also analysed accepted and deferred donors' information provided by 100% of blood banks and transfused patients notified by 83% of health care facilities nationwide, between March 1, 2019, to February 28, 2021.

Results

Colombia registered 2 273 245 SARS‐CoV‐2 cases. From these, 60 412 people died from COVID‐19 (2.7%) and 2 172 418 individuals recovered (95.6%). There were 11 659 216 SARS‐CoV‐2 processed samples nationwide. People between the ages of 20 and 39 years concentrated 44.4% of the SARS‐CoV‐2 cases. There were 773 569 blood donations, mainly from a 20‐39‐year‐old population (60.5%). The pandemic caused a reduction of 155 393 blood donations (16.7%) and 51 823 total deferrals (33.7%).

An 18.4% drop in volunteer donors and a 37.3% increase in donations from family/replacements members were observed. There were 399 453 transfused patients and 1 179 895 blood components administered (−8.7% and − 13.9% compared to March 2019–February 2020).

Conclusion

Mandatory lockdowns in Colombia decreased blood collection and usage, resulting in a reduction of blood components transfused to individual patients.
Estimation of locally reacting surface impedance at modal frequencies using an eigenvalue approximation technique
Authors: Prinn Albert G. , Walther Andreas , Habets Emanuël A. P.
Published: October 2021

The accuracy of computational models for acoustics is often limited by a lack of reliable information concerning the frequency-dependent impedance of surface materials. This lack of information stems from the unavailability of reliable measurement methods for low frequencies. In this work, an approach is proposed, using eigenvalue analysis, for estimating the locally reacting, frequency-dependent impedance of a sound-absorbing sample. In particular, an eigenvalue approximation method is proposed and used in tandem with an optimization routine to obtain surface impedance estimates of an installed sample at modal frequencies. It is shown, using finite element simulations of an impedance tube and a small reverberation room, that the proposed method can provide reasonable estimates of the surface impedance of a sample placed on a boundary surface.
Employee Relations in Times of Uncertainty
Authors: Dane-Staples Emily , Gonzalez Stephen
Published: October 2021

Sport managers are required to handle times of uncertainty by managing their employees effectively and working to ensure that the objectives of the organization can be maintained. This case follows the fictional Harrison Hornets AA baseball team through the COVID-19 pandemic and how their chief executive officer/chief operating officer, Rachel Chambers, manages the front office employees. The employer/employee interactions in this case demonstrate the challenges faced by managers attempting to balance things they can and cannot control. In working through the case, students become aware of consequences stemming from specific choices, the struggles managers face when dealing with varying personalities, and issues of inequality that arise when working with diverse stakeholders. The broadness of the narrative provides instructor latitude on implementation for a variety of courses and modes of student participation. The teaching notes provide multiple options to expand beyond the case itself, including research and information literacy tasks that can develop student skills.
Influence of COVID-19 Building Restrictions on Physical Activity Promotion Through Increased Stair Use and Limited Elevator Access: A Quasi-Experimental Study—Sport and Physical Activity Group Active Campus Project
Authors: Ryan Declan J. , Elliott-King Jordan , Ward Alison
Published: October 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of UK government COVID-19 safe offices policy to increase stair use in a higher education setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Automated counts at 3 ground floor staircases and the elevator entrances were used to estimate stair to elevator use ratio for ascent and descent from/to the ground floor of a university building at baseline (January to March 2020), first and second intervention months (October 2020, November 2020, respectively). Stair promoting signage and a 1-way system was implemented, in line with government policy. Results: At baseline, stair to elevator use ratio for ascent from and descent to the ground floor was 1.36 (0.02) and 1.88 (0.02) people, respectively. The ratio significantly increased in the first intervention month to 2.64 (0.09) and 3.96 (0.22) people for ascent and descent, respectively. However, the ratio decreased between the first and second intervention months to 1.63 (0.06) and 3.05 (0.52) people for ascent and descent, respectively. Conclusion: The UK government COVID-19 policy was effective at increasing stair use in a higher education setting.