bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual Experience and Engagement in Avatar-Mediated Environments: The Mediating Effect of Interpersonal Attraction
Authors: Alblehai Fahad M.
Published: November 2021

The application of different virtual reality interventions has been recently gaining interest from researchers and practitioners. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions increased the use of these technologies to help create much value for educators and students. The relationship between individual experience and engagement in avatar-mediated environments has garnered empirical support, but still little is known about the mediating mechanisms underlying this relation. This study investigated the mediating role of interpersonal attraction (e.g., social, physical, and task attraction) in the link between individual experience and engagement in an avatar-mediated learning environment. A total of 112 participants (21–23 years; 73 male and 39 female) participated in online peer learning sessions in Second Life. After controlling for demographic covariates, the results showed that (1) individual experience was positively associated with students’ engagement; (2) social, physical, and task attraction was found to positively mediate the link between experience and engagement. The outcomes from this study provide valuable implications for promoting online learners’ engagement in avatar-mediated environments.
Narrative and Truthfulness through the Body: Interpreting Mark Wynn
Authors: David Edward A.
Published: November 2021

This short article responds to, and interprets, two epistemic claims made by Mark Wynn concerning truth and Christian ethics. The first claim concerns how the body knows something prior to an operation of reason. The second claim concerns the relationship between narrative and metaphysics, particularly when considering the eucharist. The article interprets these claims by drawing upon Wynn's previous work in religious epistemology, and it points to its moral and doctrinal relevance for Christian ethicists today.
Ageing of laser sintered glass-filled Polyamide 12 (PA12) parts at elevated temperature and humidity
Authors: Dooher Thomas , Archer Edward , Walls Tom , McIlhagger Alistair , Dixon Dorian
Published: November 2021

Additive manufacturing is traditionally used to manufacture either prototypes or very small-scale demonstrators. In recent years though, it is being increasingly used to make low volume parts for the aeronautical and defence industry. One concern with laser sintered parts is that their relatively porous nature, means that they may be more susceptible to ageing than injection moulded parts. Parts were aged for 6 months in at different temperatures (18°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 80°C and 100°C) and in a humidity chamber at 60°C and 80% relative humidity. Each month samples were removed for characterisation. The testing included tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and gas pycnometry. During ageing the samples displayed visible discolouration and embrittlement over the 6-month test period. This embrittlement was not observed in those samples aged at room temperature or an elevated humidity. The observed yellowing in the samples aged above ambient temperature is likely a result of the build-up unsaturated degradation products. No significant differences as a result of ageing were observed via DSC, TGA, SEM or gas pycnometry.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Protects Patients with Sepsis-Associated Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation by Improving Endothelial Function
Authors: Weng Junting , Chen Min , Fang Dexiang , Liu Danjuan , Guo Rongjie , Yang Shuzhen
Published: November 2021

The mortality rate of sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is high. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in sepsis-associated DIC patients by improving endothelial function. A total of 112 sepsis-associated DIC patients were randomly divided into the TPE group (n = 40), the heparin (HP) group (n = 36), and the SHAM group (n = 36). The SHAM group received conventional treatment; the HP group was treated with HP based on conventional treatment; and the TPE group received conventional treatment plus TPE. The differences in thromboelastogram (TEG), platelet (PLT), coagulation function, and the endothelial cell (EC) injury biomarkers at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 7 days after TPE were compared among the three groups, and the three groups were compared in terms of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, 28-day mortality rate, 28-day cumulative survival rate, the incidence of bleeding events, the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The efficacy of TPE is superior to the HP in increasing PLT, improving coagulation function, increasing the 28-day cumulative survival rate, and reducing the length of ICU hospitalization, 28-day mortality, and the incidence of bleeding events, AKI, and ARDS with statistically significant differences ( P  < .05). Moreover, the effect of TPE outperforms HP on the EC injury biomarkers with statistically significant differences ( P  < .05). Our results suggest that TPE may be more effective than HP in the treatment of patients with sepsis-associated DIC. The possible mechanism is via improving endothelial function.
Eye tracking and tourism research: A systematic literature review
Authors: Savin Georgiana-Denisse , Fleșeriu Cristina , Batrancea Larissa
Published: November 2021

In recent years, the number of studies in tourism using the eye tracking technique has increased and started generating valuable information for both academics and the industry. However, there is a gap in the literature concerning systematic reviews focused on recent articles and their findings. Thus, the aim of this study is to close this gap by systematically analysing 70 research papers tackling the subject of eye tracking in tourism and published in highly ranked tourism journals. The study identifies the most popular topics and trends for eye tracking research, as well as the most used types of visual stimuli, such as exhibitions, restaurant menus, promotional pictures or websites. The study also details on measurements specific for the analysis of eye tracking data, including fixations, saccades and heat maps. Results are emphasized along with their theoretical and practical implications. In addition, we highlight the lack of the use of dynamic stimuli in the existing literature and suggest further research directions using the eye tracking technique.
A replication and expansion of the exposure effects of online model photos and social comparison goals on planned behaviors and self-efficacy to lose weight
Authors: Pan Wenjing , Peña Jorge
Published: November 2021

This study replicated and expanded social comparison theory predictions in regard to how exposure to online models and explicit comparison goals affected planned behaviors and self-efficacy to lose weight in men and women. A 2 (models’ attractiveness: more attractive vs less attractive) × 2 (models’ weight status: lower vs higher) × 2 (explicit social comparison instructions: present vs absent) × 2 (gender: female vs male) factorial design was adopted ( N = 418). Women and men exposed to online photos of more attractive models reported higher planned behaviors to lose weight relative to those who were exposed to photos of less attractive models, thus replicating previous research. Participants exposed to more attractive and higher weight models reported higher self-efficacy to lose weight relative to those exposed to more attractive and lower weight models. Contrary to the prediction, women who did not receive social comparison instructions showed higher planned behaviors to lose weight relative to women who were instructed to explicitly compare themselves against the models. The study discusses implications for social comparison research and avenues for future inquiry.
Differential Diagnosis of Charcot Neuroarthropathy in Subacute and Chronic Phases: Unusual Diseases
Authors: Carro Gabriela Verónica , Ricci Anahí , Torterola Ivan , Saurral Rubén , Portillo Valeria , Amato Pablo Salvador , Breppe Pablo , Rosito Brenda , Flores Brian , Ortiz Miguel Ticona
Published: November 2021

Charcot Neuroarthropaty (CN) is a complication of diabetes with devastating consequences as it produces severe deformities in the foot developing in recurrent ulcers that rise the probability of amputation. There are several diseases mentioned in the literature that have to be considered for the differential diagnosis of CN, often related to the acute phase (gout, ankle sprain, inflammatory arthritis, cellulitis, venous thrombosis) but there is paucity of information related to the differential diagnosis in later stages (coalescence, remodeling) when there is deformity of the foot. Clinicians and diabetologists are not familiarized with orthopedic pathology and do not have in mind certain diseases that could mimic CN in the subacute or chronic phases and this can develop in a wrong diagnosis. It is important to make a correct diagnosis in patients with suspected CN not only in the acute phase but also in the chronic phase to establish an accurate treatment. This article is a review of the differential diagnosis of CN in subacute and chronic phases showing similarities and differences that can help clinicians and diabetologists to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment. We describe unusual diseases like tendon and muscles disorders, Frieberg's disease, complex pain regional syndrome, transient regional osteoporosis and osteomyelitis superimposed to CN and the main features of each one that could help in making a differential diagnosis
The Challenges of Big Data for Research Ethics Committees: A Qualitative Swiss Study
Authors: Ferretti Agata , Ienca Marcello , Velarde Minerva Rivas , Hurst Samia , Vayena Effy
Published: November 2021

Big data trends in health research challenge the oversight mechanism of the Research Ethics Committees (RECs). The traditional standards of research quality and the mandate of RECs illuminate deficits in facing the computational complexity, methodological novelty, and limited auditability of these approaches. To better understand the challenges facing RECs, we explored the perspectives and attitudes of the members of the seven Swiss Cantonal RECs via semi-structured qualitative interviews. Our interviews reveal limited experience among REC members with the review of big data research, insufficient expertise in data science, and uncertainty about how to mitigate big data research risks. Nonetheless, RECs could strengthen their oversight by training in data science and big data ethics, complementing their role with external experts and ad hoc boards, and introducing precise shared practices.
Grasp detection via visual rotation object detection and point cloud spatial feature scoring
Authors: Wang Jie , Li Shuxiao
Published: November 2021

Accurately detecting the appropriate grasp configurations is the central task for the robot to grasp an object. Existing grasp detection methods usually overlook the depth image or only regard it as a two-dimensional distance image, which makes it difficult to capture the three-dimensional structural characteristics of target object. In this article, we transform the depth image to point cloud and propose a two-stage grasp detection method based on candidate grasp detection from RGB image and spatial feature rescoring from point cloud. Specifically, we first adopt the recently proposed high-performance rotation object detection method for aerial images, named R3Det, to grasp detection task, obtaining the candidate grasp boxes and their appearance scores. Then, point clouds within each candidate grasp box are normalized and evaluated to get the point cloud quality scores, which are fused with the established point cloud quantity scoring model to obtain spatial scores. Finally, appearance scores and their corresponding spatial scores are combined to output high-quality grasp detection results. The proposed method effectively fuses three types of grasp scoring modules, thus is called Score Fusion Grasp Net. Besides, we propose and adopt top-k grasp metric to effectively reflect the success rate of algorithm in actual grasp execution. Score Fusion Grasp Net obtains 98.5% image-wise accuracy and 98.1% object-wise accuracy on Cornell Grasp Dataset, which exceeds the performances of state-of-the-art methods. We also use the robotic arm to conduct physical grasp experiments on 15 kinds of household objects and 11 kinds of adversarial objects. The results show that the proposed method still has a high success rate when facing new objects.
Socialising of nursing students into homecare practice in Denmark: a Berger and Luckmann-inspired interview study
Authors: Glasdam Stinne , Jørgensen Jette Westenholz , Stjernswärd Sigrid
Published: November 2021

In 2016, Denmark's nurse education eliminated diagnoses, age and care settings from the curriculum. How students are trained for homecare is unknown. This article illuminates how students of non-Danish origin were socialised into homecare practice during nurse education in Denmark. Semi-structured interviews with eight students and a theoretical inspired latent thematic analysis of data were conducted. The SRQR checklist was used. The results are presented under three themes: Unprepared students stepped out from university college, Clinical supervisors as instructive and questioned role models, and Patients and relatives acted as co-supervisors. Theoretical highlights on homecare nursing were scarce from students’ perspectives. Clinical supervisors and encounters with patients and relatives in their homes socialised students into professional roles within homecare. The organisation of education in homecare pointed to a clinical, professional socialisation of nursing students in patients’ homes rather than a theoretical socialisation with an inherent formation at university college.
“Pee in Peace” or “Make Everyone Uncomfortable”: Public Perceptions of Transgender Rights
Authors: Kazyak Emily , Burke Kelsy , Kichler Rosalind , McGraw Lora
Published: November 2021

We analyze a survey of Nebraskans as a case study to examine public opinion of transgender rights. Using a mixed-methods design, we find an even divide among mostly cisgender survey respondents on whether transgender people should be able to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. Our findings mirror national data and show that identifying as female, being more liberal politically, and being less religious are associated with supporting this belief. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses reveals that both supporters and opponents of transgender rights employ logics that implicate (1) the nature of transgender identities, (2) the experiences of transgender people, and (3) the regulation of transgender bodies in public spaces. Despite drawing on similar themes, supporters and opponents construct divergent gendered realities that either validate or preclude the recognition of transgender people. Our findings shed light on how the cisgender/transgender binary functions as a facet of inequality.
Ensuring the quality and quantity of personal protective equipment (PPE) by enhancing the procurement process in Northern Ireland during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Challenges in the procurement process for PPE in NI
Authors: Burnett Kathryn , Martin Suzanne , Goudy Catherine , Barron John , O’Hare Linda , Wilson Peter , Fleming Glenda , Scott Michael
Published: November 2021

This article outlines the purchasing process for personal protective equipment that was established for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland in response to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019. The Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service, who are the sole provider of goods and services for Health and Social Care organisations, was faced with an unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The usual procurement process was further complicated by changing messages within guidelines which resulted in confusion and anxiety when determining whether or not a product would meet the required safety guidance and was therefore suitable for purchase. In order to address these issues in a rapidly changing and escalating scenario the Department of Health asked the Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service to work with the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre to maximise the availability of personal protective equipment whilst ensuring that it met all requisite quality and standards. A process was implemented whereby the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre validated all pertinent essential documentation relating to products to ensure that all applicable standards were met, with the Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service completing all procurement due diligence tasks in line with both normal and coronavirus disease 2019 emergency derogations. It is evident from the data presented that whilst there were a significant number of potential options for supply, a large proportion of these were rejected due to failure to meet the quality assurance criteria. Thus, by the process that was put in place, a large number of unsuitable products were not purchased and only those that met extant standards were approved.
Multi-resBind: a residual network-based multi-label classifier for in vivo RNA binding prediction and preference visualization
Authors: Zhao Shitao , Hamada Michiaki
Published: November 2021

Background

Protein-RNA interactions play key roles in many processes regulating gene expression. To understand the underlying binding preference, ultraviolet cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP)-based methods have been used to identify the binding sites for hundreds of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in vivo. Using these large-scale experimental data to infer RNA binding preference and predict missing binding sites has become a great challenge. Some existing deep-learning models have demonstrated high prediction accuracy for individual RBPs. However, it remains difficult to avoid significant bias due to the experimental protocol. The DeepRiPe method was recently developed to solve this problem via introducing multi-task or multi-label learning into this field. However, this method has not reached an ideal level of prediction power due to the weak neural network architecture.

Results

Compared to the DeepRiPe approach, our Multi-resBind method demonstrated substantial improvements using the same large-scale PAR-CLIP dataset with respect to an increase in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and average precision. We conducted extensive experiments to evaluate the impact of various types of input data on the final prediction accuracy. The same approach was used to evaluate the effect of loss functions. Finally, a modified integrated gradient was employed to generate attribution maps. The patterns disentangled from relative contributions according to context offer biological insights into the underlying mechanism of protein-RNA interactions.

Conclusions

Here, we propose Multi-resBind as a new multi-label deep-learning approach to infer protein-RNA binding preferences and predict novel interactions. The results clearly demonstrate that Multi-resBind is a promising tool to predict unknown binding sites in vivo and gain biology insights into why the neural network makes a given prediction.
Changes in Australian community perceptions of non-communicable disease prevention: a greater role for government?
Authors: Grunseit Anne C. , Howse Eloise , Bohn-Goldbaum Erika , Mitchell Jo , Bauman Adrian E.
Published: November 2021

Background

Monitoring trends in community opinion can identify critical opportunities to implement upstream health policies or interventions. Our study examines change and demographic modifiers of change in community perceptions of government intervention for prevention of lifestyle-related chronic disease across two time points in Australia.

Methods

Data were drawn from the 2016 (n = 2052) and 2018 (n = 2601) waves of a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey, ‘AUSPOPS’. Survey questions gauged perceptions of government intervention for health in general, peoples’/organizations’ role in maintaining health (e.g., parents, government) and support for specific health interventions (e.g., taxing soft drink).

Bivariate and multivariate regression models tested for change between the two surveys, adjusted for demographic characteristics. Models with interactions between survey wave and demographic variables tested for differential change. One-tailed variance ratio tests examined whether opinions had become more polarized in 2018 compared with 2016.

Results

The large, significant increase observed in the perceived size of the role that government has in maintaining people’s health was uniform across demographic subpopulations. The role for employers and private health insurers was also perceived to be larger in 2018 compared with 2016, but the degree of change varied by gender, age and/or socioeconomic status. Support for some government interventions (e.g., taxing soft drinks) increased among specific demographic subgroups whilst exhibiting no overall change. Opinion was more polarized on general attitudes to government intervention for population health in 2018 compared to 2016, despite little change in central tendency.

Conclusions

Opportunities may exist to implement government health-promoting policies (e.g., taxing soft drinks), although advocacy may be needed to address the concerns of less supportive subpopulations. Attitudes on government intervention in general may be becoming more polarized; future research examining the association of such changes with exposure to different information sources could inform communication strategies for future health policy change.
Strengthening the role of community health workers in supporting the recovery of ill, undernourished children post hospital discharge: qualitative insights from key stakeholders in Bangladesh and Kenya
Authors: Njeru Rita Wanjuki , Uddin Md. Fakhar , Zakayo Scholastica Mutheu , Sanga Gladys , Charo Anderson , Islam Md. Aminul , Hossain Md. Alamgir , Kimani Mary , Mwadhi Mercy Kadzo , Ogutu Michael , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Ahmed Tahmeed , Walson Judd L. , Berkley James A. , Jones Caroline , Theobald Sally , Muraya Kui , Sarma Haribondhu , Molyneux Sassy
Published: November 2021

Background

Undernourished children in low- and middle-income countries remain at elevated risk of death following hospital discharge, even when treated during hospitalisation using World Health Organisation recommended guidelines. The role of community health workers (CHWs) in supporting post-discharge recovery to improve outcomes has not been adequately explored.

Methods

This paper draws on qualitative research conducted as part of the Childhood Acute Illnesses and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network in Bangladesh and Kenya. We interviewed family members of 64 acutely ill children admitted across four hospitals (a rural and urban hospital in each country). 27 children had severe wasting or kwashiorkor on admission. Family members were interviewed in their homes soon after discharge, and up to three further times over the following six to fourteen months. These data were supplemented by observations in facilities and homes, key informant interviews with CHWs and policy makers, and a review of relevant guidelines.

Results

Guidelines suggest that CHWs could play a role in supporting recovery of undernourished children post-discharge, but the mechanisms to link CHWs into post-discharge support processes are not specified. Few families we interviewed reported any interactions with CHWs post-discharge, especially in Kenya, despite our data suggesting that opportunities for CHWs to assist families post-discharge include providing context sensitive information and education, identification of danger signs, and supporting linkages with community-based services and interventions. Although CHWs are generally present in communities, challenges they face in conducting their roles include unmanageable workloads, few incentives, lack of equipment and supplies and inadequate support from supervisors and some community members.

Conclusion

A multi-pronged approach before or on discharge is needed to strengthen linkages between CHWs and children vulnerable to poor outcomes, supported by clear guidance. To encourage scale-ability and cost-effectiveness of interventions, the most vulnerable, high-risk children, should be targeted, including undernourished children. Intervention designs must also take into account existing health worker shortages and training levels, including for CHWs, and how any new tasks or personnel are incorporated into hospital and broader health system hierarchies and systems. Any such interventions will need to be evaluated in carefully designed studies, including tracking for unintended consequences.
Characterization and reverse genetic establishment of cattle derived Akabane virus in China
Authors: Chen Dongjie , Wang Di , Wei Fang , Kong Yufang , Deng Junhua , Lin Xiangmei , Wu Shaoqiang
Published: November 2021

Background

Akabane virus (AKAV) is an important insect-borne virus which is widely distributed throughout the world except the Europe and is considered as a great threat to herbivore health.

Results

An AKAV strain defined as TJ2016 was firstly isolated from the bovine sera in China in 2016. Sequence analysis of the S and M segments suggested that the isolated AKAV strain was closely related to the AKAV strains JaGAr39 and JaLAB39, which belonged to AKAV genogroup II. To further study the pathogenic mechanism of AKAV, the full-length cDNA clone of TJ2016 S, M, and L segment was constructed separately into the TVT7R plasmid at the downsteam of T7 promoter and named as TVT7R-S, TVT7R-M, and TVT7R-L, respectively. The above three plasmids were further transfected into the BSR-T7/5 cells simultaneously with a ratio of 1:1:1 to produce the rescued virus AKAV. Compared with the parental wild type AKAV (wtAKAV), the rescued virus (rAKAV) was proved to be with similar cytopathic effects (CPE), plaque sizes and growth kinetics in BHK-21 cells.

Conclusion

We successfully isolated a AKAV strain TJ2016 from the sera of cattle and established a reverse genetic platform for AKAV genome manipulation. The established reverse genetic system is also a powerful tool for further research on AKAV pathogenesis and even vaccine studies.
Enhanced recovery after surgery protocol and postoperative opioid prescribing for cesarean delivery: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Langnas E. M. , Matthay Z. A. , Lin A. , Harbell M. W. , Croci R. , Rodriguez-Monguio R. , Chen C. L.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have emerged as a promising strategy to reduce postoperative opioid use and decrease the risk of developing new persistent opioid use in surgical patients. However, the association between ERAS implementation and discharge opioid prescribing practices is unclear.

Study design

We conducted a retrospective observational quasi-experimental study of opioid-naïve patients aged 18+ undergoing cesarean delivery between February 2015 and December 2019 at a large academic center. An interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was used to model the changes in pain medication prescribing associated with the implementation of ERAS to account for pre-existing temporal trends.

Results

Among the 1473 patients (out of 2249 total) who underwent cesarean delivery after ERAS implementation, 80.72% received a discharge opioid prescription vs. 95.36% at baseline. Pre-ERAS daily oral morphine equivalents (OME) on the discharge prescription decreased by 0.48 OME each month (p<0.01). There was a level shift of 35 more OME prescribed (p<0.01), followed by a monthly decrease of 1.4 OMEs per month after ERAS implementation (p<0.01). Among those who received a prescription, 61.35% received a total daily dose greater than 90 OME compared to 11.35% pre-implementation (p<0.01), while prescriptions with a total daily dose less than 50 OME decreased from 79.86 to 25.85% after ERAS implementation(p<0.01).

Conclusion

Although ERAS implementation reduced the overall proportion of patients receiving a discharge opioid prescription after cesarean delivery, for the subset of patients receiving an opioid prescription, ERAS implementation may have inadvertently increased the prescribing of daily doses greater than 90 OME. This finding highlights the importance of early and continued evaluation after new policies are implemented.
Nutrient resorption strategies of three oak tree species in response to interannual climate variability
Authors: Du Baoming , Ji Huawei , Liu Shirong , Kang Hongzhang , Yin Shan , Liu Chunjiang
Published: November 2021

Background

Nutrient resorption is critical for plants toward balancing their nutritional requirements and adapting to environmental variabilities, which further impacts litter quality and nutrient cycling. However, the interannual variability of nutrient resorption under climate change remains unclear.

Methods

We investigated the five-year nutrient resorption efficiencies (NuRE, %) of 14 elements in three deciduous oak tree species (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata, Q. glandulifera, and Q. variabilis) in a warm-temperate forest of Central China and assessed their relationships with interannual climate and soil factors.

Results

Nutrient resorption did not differ between species but varied significantly between different years. For each year, N, P, S, K, C, Mg, and Zn were preferentially resorbed in all of the oak species in contrast to Ca, Na, Mn, Ba, Al, Fe, Cu, which were to some extent discriminated. Among the 14 elements, the NuRE of C, N, P, S, Ca, and Mg was more sensitive to interannual climate variations in the three oak species. The carbon resorption efficiency was significantly increased during the driest year of the study (2014); N resorption efficiency was reduced with temperature; whereas N and P resorption efficiency initially decreased and then increased with precipitation. Moreover, the elements with higher NuREs typically had lower coefficient of variation (CV) in all three oak species.

Conclusions

Different oak species exhibited analogous nutrient conservation strategies in response to annual climate variabilities, and interannual climate variations strongly impacted plant nutrient resorption. Deciduous plants may establish a tradeoff mechanism to rebalance somatic nutrients for regrowth at the end of the growing season.
Thermo physiological comfort of single jersey knitted fabric derivatives
Authors: Mishra Rajesh , Jamshaid Hafsa , Yosfani Sheraz Hussain Siddique , Hussain Uzair , Nadeem Muhammad , Petru Michal , Tichy Martin , Muller Miroslav
Published: November 2021

The main aim of this study is to determine the thermo-physiological comfort properties of single knit fabrics and their derivatives. As the Single Jersey knitted fabrics are the most widely used fabrics in the apparel sector, they have been selected for the analysis purpose. Derivatives of single jersey are developed and compared in order to understand the influence of structural variations. Physical properties e.g. thickness and areal density were evaluated for all knitted fabrics with 100% cotton yarn having three different yarn linear densities and after different stages of relaxation. Various thermo-physiological properties have been studied by changing the combed cotton yarn linear density as well as the structure of single knit fabric. Air permeability, thermal insulation and relative water vapor permeability of the fabrics were observed and investigated under wet relaxed states. It is determined that fabric physical properties are affected by changing yarn linear density and by the dry or wet relaxation stages. The percentage/number of tuck stitches (NTS), location of tuck stitches (LTS) and ratio of tuck to knit stitches (RTKS) have strong influence on physical and thermo-physiological properties of single knit fabrics, even though other knitting parameters remained the same.
Efficacy of alternative or adjunctive measures to conventional non-surgical and surgical treatment of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ramanauskaite Ausra , Fretwurst Tobias , Schwarz Frank
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of alternative or adjunctive measures to conventional non-surgical or surgical treatment of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.

Material and methods

Prospective randomized and nonrandomized controlled studies comparing alternative or adjunctive measures, and reporting on changes in bleeding scores (i.e., bleed0ing index (BI) or bleeding on probing (BOP)), probing depth (PD) values or suppuration (SUPP) were searched.

Results

Peri-implant mucositis: adjunctive use of local antiseptics lead to greater PD reduction (weighted mean difference (WMD) = − 0.23 mm;p = 0.03, respectively), whereas changes in BOP were comparable (WMD = − 5.30%;p = 0.29). Non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis: alternative measures for biofilm removal and systemic antibiotics yielded higher BOP reduction (WMD = − 28.09%;p = 0.01 and WMD = − 17.35%;p = 0.01, respectively). Surgical non-reconstructive peri-implantitis treatment: WMD in PD amounted to − 1.11 mm favoring adjunctive implantoplasty (p = 0.02). Adjunctive reconstructive measures lead to significantly higher radiographic bone defect fill/reduction (WMD = 56.46%;p = 0.01 and WMD = − 1.47 mm;p = 0.01), PD (− 0.51 mm;p = 0.01) and lower soft-tissue recession (WMD = − 0.63 mm;p = 0.01), while changes in BOP were not significant (WMD = − 11.11%;p = 0.11).

Conclusions

Alternative and adjunctive measures provided no beneficial effect in resolving peri-implant mucositis, while alternative measures were superior in reducing BOP values following non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Adjunctive reconstructive measures were beneficial regarding radiographic bone-defect fill/reduction, PD reduction and lower soft-tissue recession, although they did not improve the resolution of mucosal inflammation.
Consumption of dietary folate estimates and its implication for reproductive outcome among women of reproductive age in Kersa: cross-sectional survey
Authors: Assefa Nega , Abdullahi Yasir Y. , Abraham Aklilu , Hemler Elena C. , Madzorera Isabel , Dessie Yadeta , Roba Kedir Teji , Fawzi Wafaie W.
Published: November 2021

Background

Dietary folate inadequacy is one the most common micronutrient deficiencies that cause neural tube defect (NTD) among infants in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aims to determine the dietary intake of folate among women of reproductive age (WRA) of Kersa, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study took place among voluntary women that were selected from 1140 random households. Using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, participant’s weekly dietary intake history of Ethiopian foods and dietary folate intake was worked out. Statistical analysis was done at a 95% confidence interval. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with dietary folate consumption.

Result

The estimated median usual intake of folate was 170 μg/d (IQR: 118.3; 252.2) and about 33% of WRA had low folate intake and 73.9% were at risk for folate inadequacy. From the reported food groups, Beans and Peas, Starchy staples, and Vitamin-A rich dark-green leafy vegetables were the top three ranked foods that contributed much of the dietary folate. The following conditions were statistically related to dietary folate inadequacy; women’s age, being in poor wealth index, low dietary diversity, having seasonal employment, and reliance on market food sources.

Conclusions

We found that women’s dietary intake of folate in Kersa is very low and cannot protect their offspring from the risk of having NTD. They could also potentially be predisposed to poor health outcomes. Diversifying and fortification of Ethiopian wheats and salts could decrease the burden of folate deficiency in the country.
Mono-specific algal diets shape microbial networking in the gut of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla elatensis
Authors: Masasa Matan , Kushmaro Ariel , Kramarsky-Winter Esti , Shpigel Muki , Barkan Roy , Golberg Alex , Kribus Abraham , Shashar Nadav , Guttman Lior
Published: November 2021

Background

Algivorous sea urchins can obtain energy from a diet of a single algal species, which may result in consequent changes in their gut microbe assemblies and association networks.

Methods

To ascertain whether such changes are led by specific microbes or limited to a specific region in the gut, we compared the microbial assembly in the three major gut regions of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla elatensis when fed a mono-specific algal diet of either Ulva fasciata or Gracilaria conferta, or an algal-free diet. DNA extracts from 5 to 7 individuals from each diet treatment were used for Illumina MiSeq based 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3–V4 region). Niche breadth of each microbe in the assembly was calculated for identification of core, generalist, specialist, or unique microbes. Network analyzers were used to measure the connectivity of the entire assembly and of each of the microbes within it and whether it altered with a given diet or gut region. Lastly, the predicted metabolic functions of key microbes in the gut were analyzed to evaluate their potential contribution to decomposition of dietary algal polysaccharides.

Results

Sea urchins fed with U. fasciata grew faster and their gut microbiome network was rich in bacterial associations (edges) and networking clusters. Bacteroidetes was the keystone microbe phylum in the gut, with core, generalist, and specialist representatives. A few microbes of this phylum were central hub nodes that maintained community connectivity, while others were driver microbes that led the rewiring of the assembly network based on diet type through changes in their associations and centrality. Niche breadth agreed with microbes' richness in genes for carbohydrate active enzymes and correlated Bacteroidetes specialists to decomposition of specific polysaccharides in the algal diets.

Conclusions

The dense and well-connected microbial network in the gut of Ulva-fed sea urchins, together with animal's rapid growth, may suggest that this alga was most nutritious among the experimental diets. Our findings expand the knowledge on the gut microbial assembly in T. gratilla elatensis and strengthen the correlation between microbes’ generalism or specialism in terms of occurrence in different niches and their metabolic arsenal which may aid host nutrition.
Statins mediate anti- and pro-tumourigenic functions by remodelling the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Kamata Tamihiro , Al Dujaily Esraa , Alhamad Salwa , So Tsz Y. , Margaritaki Olga , Giblett Susan , Pringle J. Howard , Le Quesne John , Pritchard Catrin
Published: November 2021

Anti-cancer properties of statins are controversial and possibly context dependent. Recent pathology/epidemiology studies of human lung adenocarcinoma showed reduced pro-tumourigenic macrophages associated with a shift to lower-grade tumours amongst statin users but, paradoxically, worse survival compared with that of non-users. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we have characterised mouse lung adenoma/adenocarcinoma models treated with atorvastatin. Here, we show that atorvastatin suppresses premalignant disease by inhibiting the recruitment of pro-tumourigenic macrophages to the tumour microenvironment, manifested in part by suppression of Rac-mediated CCR1 ligand secretion. However, prolonged atorvastatin treatment leads to drug resistance and progression of lung adenomas into invasive disease. Pathological progression is not driven by acquisition of additional driver mutations or immunoediting/evasion but is associated with stromal changes including the development of desmoplastic stroma containing Gr1+ myeloid cells and tertiary lymphoid structures. These findings show that any chemopreventive functions of atorvastatin in lung adenocarcinoma are overridden by stromal remodelling in the long term, thus providing mechanistic insight into the poor survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients with statin use.
Does receiving a cash grant improve individual earnings in a war-torn country? Evidence from a randomized experiment in Afghanistan
Authors: Kashefi Fatema , Naito Hisahiro
Published: November 2021

Background: In this study, the effect of receiving a non-trivial cash grant and mentorship for business practice on individual earnings in Afghanistan was assessed.  Methods: This randomized control trial (RCT) included 2177 individuals (n=2177), with the age range of 18-35 years. The amount of cash grant (500 USD) was approximately equal to the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the country.  By a process of lottery, eligible applicants were equally divided into the group that received the grant (treatment group) and the group that did not (control group). Results: Almost two years after this study, the percentage of increased annual income to the size of this cash grant was approximately 173 % and 69 % for males and females, respectively. This result was much higher than the estimated percentage reported in previous literature assessing the effect of microfinance loans and cash grants in other countries.  The treatment group had 7% higher probability of having an officially registered business than the control group. The treatment group also increased labor supply and employed additional workers, compared to the control group. The male treatment group bought more capital equipment (e.g., trike and commercial carts) than the male control group, while the female treatment group bought more domestic animals. Conclusion: A non-trivial cash grant has a strong positive effect on the earnings of the recipient of the cash grant in Afghanistan. If the state of increased income continues for the next few years, the sum of increased income will be more than the sum of the administration cost, the interest cost and the amount of cash grant given.  This implies that the project passes the standard criteria to determine the appropriateness of government program. Additionally, we did not find any economically and statistically significant positive effect of mentorship on income.
Route Optimization Tool (RoOT) for distribution of vaccines and health products
Authors: Zabinsky Zelda B. , Zameer Mariam , Petroianu Larissa P.G. , Muteia Mamiza M. , Coelho Aida L.
Published: November 2021

Ensuring the delivery and availability of health products, including temperature-sensitive vaccines, is vital to saving lives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).  In many LMICs routes are hand drawn by logisticians and are adjusted based on vehicle availability and product quantities. Easy-to-use real-time supply chain tools are needed to create or adjust routes for available vehicles and road conditions. Having more efficient and optimized distribution is especially critical for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

Route Optimization Tool (RoOT) works best for planning routes for 50 health facilities or less, in two minutes. We develop RoOT using a variant of a Vehicle Routing and Scheduling Algorithm (VeRSA) that is coded in Python but reads and writes Excel files to make data input and using outputs easier. RoOT can be used for routine operations or in emergency situations, such as delivery of new COVID-19 vaccine. The tool has a user-centric design with easy dropdown menus and the ability to optimize on time, risk, or combination of both. RoOT is an open-source tool for optimal routing of health products. It provides optimized routes faster than most commercial software and is tailored to meet the needs of government stakeholders

We trained supply chain logisticians in Mozambique on using RoOT, and their feedback validates that RoOT is a practical tool to improve planning and efficient distribution of health products, especially vaccines. We also illustrate how  RoOT can be adapted for an emergency situation by using a test scenario of a cyclone. Currently, RoOT does not allow multi-day routes, and is designed for trips that can be completed within twenty-four hours. Areas for future development include multi-day routing and integration with mapping software to facilitate distance calculations and visualization of routes.
Addressing implementation considerations when developing universal interventions for speech, language and communication needs in the ordinary classroom: a protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Gallagher Aoife , Murphy Carol-Anne , Fitzgerald Johanna , Law James
Published: November 2021

Background: Understanding the factors that influence the implementation of health interventions in the context of education is essential to improving outcomes for children and young people with speech and language needs (SLCN). Yet implementation considerations have not been adequately addressed when developing interventions for this context. The aim of this paper is to present a protocol for a scoping review of existing implementation frameworks that might guide SLCN intervention research in schools. 

Methods: In accordance with scoping review guidelines, the study will be conducted in six phases: (1) identification of the research question, (2) identification of potentially relevant studies of Implementation Science frameworks, (3) study screening and selection, (4) charting and extracting data from identified frameworks, (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results and (6) consultation with stakeholders. Two reviewers will conduct the screening and extraction stages independently. Identified frameworks will be collated, and described, and constructs from the IS frameworks will be categorised using domains from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. A draft implementation science model will be proposed based on the findings of the scoping review.

Conclusions: The findings of this review will provide guidance for researchers to begin to address implementation considerations when developing and facilitating the uptake of universal interventions for SLCN in the ordinary classroom, and ultimately can contribute towards improving outcomes for this vulnerable childhood population.