bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Children’s emotional wellbeing during spring 2020 COVID-19 restrictions: a qualitative study with parents of young children in England
Authors: Chambers Stephanie , Clarke Joanne , Kipping Ruth , Langford Rebecca , Brophy Rachel , Hannam Kim , Taylor Hilary , Willis Kate , Simpson Sharon A
Published: July 2021

Background

During COVID-19 restrictions in England in spring 2020, early years settings for young children were closed to all but a small percentage of families, social contact was limited and play areas in parks were closed. Concerns were raised about the impact of these restrictions on young children’s emotional wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore parents’ perceptions of young children’s emotional wellbeing during these COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods

We interviewed 20 parents of children 3-4 years due to begin school in England in September 2020. Interviews were conducted via telephone (n=18) and video call (n=2), audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews focused on childcare arrangements, children’s behaviour and transition to school. A sample of transcripts were coded line-by-line to create a coding framework, which was subsequently applied to the remaining transcripts. Coded data were then analysed using a nurture lens to develop themes and further understanding.

Results

Participants were predominantly mothers (n=16), White British (n=10), and educated to degree level (n=13), with half the sample living in the highest deprivation quintile in England (n=10). Five were single parents. Three themes developed from nurturing concepts were identified: creating age-appropriate explanations; understanding children’s behaviour; concerns about school transition. Parents recognised their children’s emotional wellbeing was impacted but attempted to support their young children whilst looking ahead to their transition to primary school.

Conclusions

This study is one of the first to examine in-depth the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on young children’s emotional wellbeing. The longer-term impacts are not yet understood. Although young children may be unable to understand in detail what the virus is, they undoubtedly experience the disruption it brings to their lives. The wellbeing of families and children needs to be nurtured as they recover from the effects of the pandemic to allow them to thrive.

Key messages

COVID-19 restrictions are predicted to have a negative impact on young children.

We interviewed parents of children in England due to begin primary school to understand their experiences of COVID-19 restrictions.

Nurture concepts helped us understand the challenges families faced.

Key themes identified were: creating age-appropriate explanations; understanding children’s behaviour; and concerns about school transition.

We suggest a nurturing approach to recovery to best support children and their families.
Dominance of Alpha and Iota variants in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections in New York City
Authors: Duerr Ralf , Dimartino Dacia , Marier Christian , Zappile Paul , Wang Guiqing , Lighter Jennifer , Elbel Brian , Troxel Andrea , Heguy Adriana
Published: July 2021

The efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is high, but breakthrough infections still occur. We compared the SARS-CoV-2 genomes of 76 breakthrough cases after full vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), or JNJ-78436735 (Janssen) to unvaccinated controls (February-April 2021) in metropolitan New York, including their phylogenetic relationship, distribution of variants, and full spike mutation profiles. Their median age was 48 years; seven required hospitalization and one died. Most breakthrough infections (57/76) occurred with B.1.1.7 (Alpha) or B.1.526 (Iota). Among the 7 hospitalized cases, 4 were infected with B.1.1.7, including 1 death. Both unmatched and matched statistical analyses considering age, sex, vaccine type, and study month as covariates supported the null hypothesis of equal variant distributions between vaccinated and unvaccinated in chi-squared and McNemar tests (p>0.1) highlighting a high vaccine efficacy against B.1.1.7 and B.1.526. There was no clear association among breakthroughs between type of vaccine received and variant. In the vaccinated group, spike mutations in the N-terminal domain and receptor-binding domain that have been associated with immune evasion were overrepresented. The evolving dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 variants requires broad genomic analyses of breakthrough infections to provide real-life information on immune escape mediated by circulating variants and their spike mutations.
Do pesticide residues have enduring negative effect on macroinvertebrates and vertebrates in fallow rice paddies?
Authors: Song Jheng-Sin , Kuo Chi-Chien
Published: July 2021

Rice is one of the most important staple food in the world, with irrigated rice paddies largely converted from natural wetlands. The effectiveness of rice fields in help preserve species depends partially on management practices, including the usage of pesticides. However, related studies have focused predominately on the cultivation period, leaving the effects of soil pesticide residues on aquatic invertebrates during the fallow periods little explored; other animals, such as waterbirds, also rely on aquatic invertebrates in flooded fallow fields for their survival. We therefore investigated vertebrates and macroinvertebrates (terrestrial and aquatic) on rice stands and in flooded water during cultivation and fallow periods in organic and conventional rice fields in Taiwan. Association of environmental factors with terrestrial and aquatic organisms was also analyzed. In total, 32,880 individuals of 144 invertebrate families and 381 individuals of 15 vertebrate families were recorded after nine samplings each for six organic and six conventional rice fields. Family richness and abundance of all invertebrates (terrestrial and aquatic) were higher in organic than in conventional fields during the cultivation period, but were similar between the two agricultural practices during the fallow period. Richness and abundance of terrestrial invertebrates in both organic and conventional fields increased with the progression of rice cultivation, so did the differences between the two practices. Richness of aquatic invertebrates was mostly constant across the sampling period, while abundance increased but differences decreased during the fallow period. Richness and abundance of terrestrial invertebrates were positively associated with ambient temperature and height of rice stand. Abundance of aquatic invertebrates were positively associated with pH value and amount of dissolved oxygen but negatively associated with water temperature. Richness and abundance of all vertebrates and each of the constituting groups (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and migratory waterbird) were statistically similar between the two practices although abundance of migratory waterbirds in organic fields were two times those in conventional fields during the fallow period. Our study suggested accumulated effects of pesticides on suppressing terrestrial invertebrates during the cultivation period, but diminishing effects of pesticide residues on repressing aquatic invertebrates during the fallow period. This comprehensive study provided a holistic picture on macroinvertebrate and vertebrate fauna, as well as ramifications of pesticide usage, in a representative Southeast Asia rice paddy ecosystem. Further study should compare rice fields with natural wetlands to better assess how to capitalize on agroecosystems for biodiversity conservation.
MWEB: Growth strategy options for an internet service provider
Authors: Hoosain Rihana , Bick Geoff , Samuelsson Mikael
Published: July 2021

Subject area of the teaching case:

The case is particularly relevant for students studying elements of business strategy with an interest in strategic decision-making, competitive strategy, and growth strategy. The case leverages several strategic frameworks taught throughout business courses and illustrates a real-world application of these frameworks to support sound strategic decision-making. Furthermore, the case examines the relevance of sustainable competitive advantage and the linkages to the appropriate growth strategy for a business. It is recommended that this case be taught once students have covered the applicable theory and frameworks in class.

Student level:

This case is designed for business administration students, in particular MBA, EMBA, speciality Masters, or executive education students.

Brief overview of the teaching case:

MWEB is a leading first-tier South African internet services provider, with an operating history spanning over 22 years. The MWEB brand is a household name across South Africa, seen as one of the pioneers of the internet industry and accredited with bringing the internet to ordinary consumers across the country. The state of competition in the market, however, has intensified and MWEB's traditional operating model has not evolved fast enough to meet the changing landscape. The market is in the midst of a price war, to which MWEB has responded by reducing market pricing and offering attractive deals, undercutting all its competitors. The results have been positive; sales have increased and churn has reduced, but competitors have already started to follow. The dilemma facing CEO Sean Nourse and his management team is how to accelerate growth in a highly commoditised market with intense competition while ensuring the long-term profitability of the business. The case encourages the consideration of the strategic decision-making process by analysing the competitive landscape, evaluating the options, and reaching a decision on the most viable growth strategy for the business.

Expected learning outcomes:

To analyse the competitive landscape and the forces at play

To conduct a competitor analysis, appraise long-term profitability in the industry, identify profitable strategic positions, and determine how MWEB may achieve and protect its competitive advantage

To identify and analyse the key parameters that, in combination, represent a company's business model

To critically analyse the contextual factors that are presented as business challenges, evaluating and understanding the impact and scale of these challenges

To critically assess relevant growth strategy alternatives for MWEB and analyse the viability of the alternatives presented

To conduct an informal valuation to determine a purchase price for an acquisition target for the business
Applicability of drywall technologies for disaster-induced housing reconstruction
Authors: Hulathdoowage Nimasha Dilukshi , Hadiwattage Chandanie
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The sluggish progression of disaster-induced housing reconstruction (DHR) in Sri Lanka provoked the assessment of drywall technologies as a mode of improving efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of drywall technologies to adopt a technical solution to DHR.

Design/methodology/approach

The research contextualized a mixed research design via a case-study strategy integrating semi-structured interviews, documentary reviews and observations. Two cases based on the 2016 Samasarakanda landslide were investigated. Within-case-analysis and cross-case-analysis were performed to derive conclusions.

Findings

Enablers for drywall technologies application are time saving, cost-saving, less water consumption and logistical easiness. Less strength of drywall technologies will not be a critical obstruction owing to the expected disaster resilience from the concrete frame and the subsequent requirement of non-load bearing walls for landslide DHR. Labor source, community acceptance, durability are potential settings of barriers. Observing model houses, researching the resistance of drywall technologies to landslide-induced vibrations and impulsive waves are some further research areas discovered.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical findings are centered on the 2016 Samasarakanda DHR.

Practical implications

Because of many issues in updating guidelines, drawings and BOQs, a protocol should be gazetted in the parliament to improve its updating flexibility allowing provisions to apply novel technologies for DHR.

Originality/value

Being one of the very first of this kind of research, contextually, the research is original. This study provokes insightful investigation of drywall technologies for DHR beyond its overlooked properties. This study reveals many wall construction challenges of the 2016 Samasarakanda DHR which have not yet been explored in research.
Investigating social capital, trust and commitment in family business: case of media firms
Authors: Tajpour Mehdi , Salamzadeh Aidin , Salamzadeh Yashar , Braga Vitor
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate social capital's effect on family business development in selected family media firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population includes 100 individuals who run a family business in this industry. Eighty individuals are selected as the research sample through the stratified random sampling method. The data are collected using a questionnaire. The authors used structural equation modelling method for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that social capital affects the development of family businesses in media firms. According to the results obtained from the structural equation test, the effect of the relational dimension of social capital on trust and the effect of the cognitive and structural dimensions of social capital on trust are supported, while the effect of the relational dimension of social capital on commitment as well as the effect of the cognitive dimension of social capital on trust are not supported.

Practical implications

This research could help family firms in media industries improve trust and commitment by paying attention to different aspects of social capital. Besides, it shows that even the impact of relational and cognitive social capital, respectively, on commitment and trust, are not supported; these two could affect trust and commitment, respectively.

Originality/value

The paper is among the first studies that investigate family firms in media industries. Besides, the relationships between relational, cognitive and structural aspects of social capital and trust and commitment are rarely studied in the literature as two determinants of family business development.
Is small and medium-sized beautiful? The structure and evolution of family SMEs research
Authors: Valenza Giuseppe , Caputo Andrea , Calabrò Andrea
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The field of scientific research on small and medium-sized family businesses has been growing exponentially and the aim of this paper is to systematize the body of knowledge to develop an agenda for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting comparative bibliometric analyses on 155 articles (from 1989 until 2018) the authors provide a systematic assessment of the scientific research about small family firms, unveiling the structure and evolution of the field. Bibliographic coupling, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence analysis are adopted to identify the most influential studies and themes.

Findings

Four clusters of research are reviewed: succession in family SMEs, performances of family SMEs, internationalization of family SMEs and organizational culture of family SMEs.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the field of family SMEs by providing a systematic analysis of the scientific knowledge. Reviewing those clusters allows to providing avenues and reflections for future research and further practice.
It's our museum too: co-producing research in a university museum through a nursery residency programme
Authors: Noble Kate , Wallis Nicola
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The authors draw on Howard and Thomas-Hughes' (2020) framework for quality assessment of co-produced research, to interrogate our assumptions and processes and to reflect on our project. They consider if they achieved our planned outcomes around developing practice, enabling a range of voices and perspectives within their research, and enacting change within the university museum.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ early years residency programme explores the potential of collaborations with community groups to transform knowledge and practice through action research. As museum educators, the authors find synergy between the participatory pedagogies underpinning their practice and the co-construction of knowledge within action research. Both are committed to enabling diverse interpretations within a collective and supportive framework. Within their project, practitioners from the museum and playgroup worked collaboratively to collect video footage, photos, children's artwork and reflective journals and memos.

Findings

The process of action, observation and reflection revealed much about the authors’ different perspectives and they found variations in both pedagogy and practice. Although the authors had a shared commitment to providing high quality, memorable, exciting opportunities for the children, the exploratory nature of the project meant that they did not agree what these experiences might look like in advance, and so they had different understandings of what they saw.

Research limitations/implications

Although the authors’ methodological framework was designed to make their research collaborative, structural challenges and the contexts of the art museum and university reinforced long established hierarchies. While some felt supported by the research process and the prestige of working with a university museum to gain legitimacy for their practice, others were disempowered by these same structures. The authors consider their obligations as practitioner-researchers to become aware of the role they play in maintaining, as well as challenging, hierarchies and assumptions.

Originality/value

Young children in museums is a growing area of study and this practitioner-led action research project develop a new strand of enquiry within this field. Through this research the authors can collaborate with community partners to record, analyse and make visible the many different ways in which young children experience the museum. As research led institutions, university museums are ideally placed to develop research in partnership with local public bodies and community groups. However, future work in this area would benefit from a more explicit consideration of the constraints implicit within the institutions within which they all operate.
Structural and electrical study of BLT thin film deposited on different substrates by electron gun evaporation
Authors: Abdallah B. , Nasrallah F. , Tabbky W.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to deposit Bi4Ti3O12 films by electron gun evaporation technique starting from Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 as a target without annealing. The films have been deposited on Si(100), on thin film buffer layer of Pt and glass substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze structure of the films, which possesses a good structure with (0010) preferred orientation. Electronic behavior of the samples has been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The dependence of both the structure and quality of the BLT thin films on different substrates is studied using XRD. The electrical characteristics were determined using capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current–voltage (I–V) measurements at the frequency of 1 MHz. Optical properties of the grown films deposited on glass substrates were characterized by optical transmittance measurements (UV-Vis).

Findings

The XRD analysis approved the crystallographer structure of the prepared Bi4Ti3O12 films. The optical properties of deposited film (transmittance and the band gap value) are extracted by UV-Vis spectrum.

Originality/value

High crystalline quality Bi4Ti3O12 films have been obtained using different substrates at room temperature by means of electron gun deposition. The electrical and ferroelectric properties of thin films were studied using I–V and C–V measurements. The band gap has been found to be about 3.62 eV for the studied film deposited on glass substrate. Electron beam evaporation technique is the most interesting methods, once considering many advantages; such as its stability, reproducibility, high deposition rate and the compositions of the films are controlled.
Clinical case of lung spindle cell carcinoma markedly responsive to pembrolizumab
Authors: Mizushina Yoshiko , Ohyanagi Fumiyoshi , Shiihara Jun , Nomura Motoko , Ohta Hiromitsu , Oshiro Hisashi , Tsubochi Hiroyoshi , Kusaka Gen , Yamaguchi Yasuhiro
Published: July 2021

A 52‐year‐old man underwent pneumonectomy of the left lung for previously diagnosed primary spindle cell carcinoma (pT4aN1M0, stage III B) with programmed death‐ligand 1 expression (tumor proportion score ≥95%) and without epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion gene. However, brain metastasis and chest wall tumor relapse occurred. Considering insufficient improvement with gamma knife treatment for brain metastasis and combination chemotherapy (paclitaxel, carboplatin, and bevacizumab), pembrolizumab monotherapy and palliative irradiation therapy for chest metastases were started after brain tumor volume reduction using craniotomy. Brain edema and chest wall metastases markedly improved following a pseudoprogression of the brain edema accompanied by a performance status decline; this effect continued until 11 cycles of pembrolizumab administration.
Three methods to measure parasite aggregation using examples from Australian fish parasites
Authors: Lester Robert J. G. , Blomberg Simone Phillipa
Published: July 2021

The distribution of parasites in host populations is integral to simulations of parasite populations.

We compared three methods to measure parasite aggregation, namely the Hoover, coefficient of variation and I10 indices, using field data from a range of fish parasites. These included anisakid nematodes, trypanorhynch cestodes and polyopisthocotylean monogeneans from 10 previously published studies and one unpublished study.

Positive correlations among the three methods were high. Standard errors and estimated biases obtained by bootstrap methods were smallest for the Hoover index. There was no evidence for a bias–variance trade‐off.

The analyses suggest that the Hoover index is to be preferred as a measure of aggregation although difficulties remain in deriving theoretical and operational definitions of aggregation.
Oestrogen receptors: A potential therapeutic target in oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Authors: Due Steven L. , Watson David I. , Hussey Damian J.
Published: July 2021

Oesophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer in the world and adenocarcinoma is the dominant subtype in Western industrialised nations. The global 5‐year relative survival rate for oesophageal adenocarcinoma is 12%. Chemotherapy is a standard treatment offered to patients with both resectable and unresectable disease. However, there are only a few established chemotherapeutic drug options and progress in this area is limited. Recent efforts have focused on targeted molecular therapies. Epidemiological evidence points towards hormonal influences on disease development, particularly sex hormones. Several research studies have demonstrated oestrogen receptor (ER) expression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma tissue, making them a possible option for targeting with ER modulating agents. ERs are also present in laboratory models of the disease and experiments in ER‐positive cell lines suggest that ER modulator therapy may be effective. A deeper understanding of the roles of ERα and ERβ in this disease would be valuable for future translation into clinical practice. In this review, we discuss the association between oestrogens and the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and the potential to modulate ER signalling networks for therapeutic benefit.
Analytical investigation of the original painted canvas of Santa Irene, by Giuseppe Verrio (Church of Sant'Irene, Lecce, Italy)*
Authors: Rizzo Daniela , Casciaro Raffaele
Published: July 2021

The object of this study is unusual for both its material and technique. It is an oil painting on sheets of paper glued to a canvas made of linen fibres, thereby showing some execution peculiarities. It depicts the Virgin of Thessalonica in a hieratic attitude. The painting is attributed to the Salento‐born artist Giuseppe Verrio (1639) for the church of the Theatine religious Order in Lecce, Italy, in which it is still placed, on the left altar of the transept. To truly understand and appreciate a work of art, it is important to have a basic knowledge of the materials and techniques used by the artist. For a better understanding of the execution techniques and to study the original materials and those that have been added over time, the painting was examined using the following analytical techniques: microscopic examination of cross‐sections, μ‐Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (Py‐GC‐MS). The data indicate that Verrio used different earthy, mineral and manufactured pigments, an organic dye used only on the paper, oil as a binder, and varnish as a protectant. The results demonstrate that the latter are both original and due to a subsequent restoration.
Time in Motion: Qualities of Temporality Within Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling
Authors: Howell Ros
Published: July 2021

Our relationship to time is both a developmental and a relational one; an inter‐ and intra‐psychic experience. Exploring how the theories of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, and their successors offer explanations of how the psychoanalytic subject develops and sustains a concept of time and the factors that may hinder this, this essay suggests that different qualities of time, such as continuity, rhythm, repetition and interruption, can reveal themselves through the client's transferential and countertransferential relationship with the therapist. Using fictionalized clinical examples it explores how a bodily felt experience of time was thought about by the therapist/author using Laban movement analysis to support a client in ‘working through’ early material that felt stuck. The exploration of a client's perspective is brought in through the writings of the activist Passerini on her psychoanalytic treatment (cited by Baraitser in Enduring Time) and her experience of trauma's capacity to stop time. The essay also looks at how psychoanalytic ideas of temporality challenge the ‘recruiting’ of time by the wider culture to create more time‐efficient late‐capitalist subjects but by using ideas from movement studies and a Lacanian influenced time register it is suggested that cultural attacks on subjective experiences of temporality could be challenged within therapy. It is hoped the essay encourages the therapist to become alert to the manifestations of different temporal experiences within the therapeutic relationship and to develop a creative, embodied language with which to explore it with the client.
A Banging Door, a Gâteau and a Knife: Antisocial to Prosocial Constellations in a Forensic Group for Men
Authors: Maxwell‐Scott Gaynor
Published: July 2021

Those offenders who are diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) pose a higher risk of re‐offending and are a challenge to rehabilitate. In this paper, the author discusses a community service use of group therapy with men diagnosed with ASPD, using interpersonal techniques based on group analysis and mentalization‐based therapy. With clinical material taken from a year‐long psychodynamically informed group to highlight intra‐ and inter‐personal development, the author examines how the group progressed from a hostile place where cooperation could not be imagined to a space in which trust became a possibility. This paper explores how antisocial men might become more prosocial using both the group process itself as a medium for intervention and the exploration of symbol and metaphor to develop an emotional language to enable change. Psychological change is perceived in the way words are used to develop insight and capacity to think about the minds of others. I conclude that more research is needed but that a mixed technique group has promise in the treatment of offenders with ASPD in the community.
Mentalizing in Clinical Practice: Working with Children Whose Mother is Suffering from Psychotic Symptoms
Authors: Rolli Nadja Julia
Published: July 2021

This paper considers whether the psychotic illness of a mother impacts on the development of the mentalizing capacity of her offspring and the consequences this may have for clinical practice as a child psychotherapist. It focuses on the current theoretical understanding that the secure state of mind of a mother with respect to attachment, as well as her mentalizing ability, influences the development of the child's mentalizing skills. After summarizing and evaluating evidence associated with the attachment behaviour and mentalizing capacity of a psychotic mother, the paper gives evidence that there is a strong association between mothers on the psychotic continuum and insecure‐avoidant or disorganized attachment behaviour and impairment of the reflective function. This puts the infant at elevated risk of not fully developing mentalizing abilities. The issue of acquiring hypermentalization or undermentalization patterns is highlighted. In clinical practice, marked mirroring and transparency about the therapist's mental state allow the client to feel seen and to discover his or her own inner experiences in relation to external reality.
How harmful are cuts in public employment and wage in times of high unemployment?
Authors: Betti Thierry , Coudert Thomas
Published: July 2021

Since 2010, and in line with austerity measures, public employment and public‐sector compensations to employees have been significantly reduced in most Euro Area member states and particularly in Spain and Greece. At the same time, unemployment in these two economies was greatly increasing. In a dynamic and stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model, we demonstrate that these cuts in public employment and wages are more damaging in terms of output and employment losses in periods of high unemployment. The model is able to produce significant state dependence of fiscal multipliers. Main results can be summarized as follows: (1) Public‐sector wages shocks produce larger multipliers than public‐sector employment shocks; (2) with a higher steady‐state unemployment, response of non‐Ricardian consumption to fiscal shocks are worse while Ricardian households consumption is better off, thanks to lower inflation following fiscal shocks and a higher marginal utility of consumption at the high‐unemployment steady state; (3) a larger share of non‐Ricardian households, a higher job separation rate, and a lower matching efficiency amplify fiscal multipliers; (4) a passive monetary policy increases fiscal multipliers in the case of public vacancy shocks but dampens multipliers associated with cuts in public‐sector wages; and (5) fiscal multipliers are larger when demand and supply shocks hit the economy, to a greater extent in the case of a negative shock on aggregate demand.
Enhancing dye adsorption of wool by controlled and facile surface modification using sodium bisulphite
Authors: Jiang Zhe , Zhang Yiyi , Zhang Nan , Wang Qiang , Wang Ping , Yu Yuanyuan , Zhou Man
Published: July 2021

Wool is a natural biopolymer with special properties, including warmth retention and skin‐friendliness. However, its application in the textile industry is limited by the scale layer that covers its surface, which prevents the efficient diffusion of dye into the interior of its fibres, and increases wool's susceptibility to shrinkage during washing. Here, dissolution with sodium bisulphite is used for wool surface modification. The properties of surface dissolved wool are comprehensively characterised, including strength loss, shrinkage rate and dyeability. The three‐dimensional images indicated that scale layer was etched. Coupled with Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, the test results of strength loss and shrinkage rate indicated that surface dissolution degree can be controlled by time and temperature, and that the process does not break the fibre's main body structure. Dyeability properties, including dye absorption rate, deepness and uniformity at a lower temperature were enhanced, indicating amenability to industrial production. Our findings highlight a novel, efficient method of modifying protein fibre surface for enhancing properties with potential for large‐scale application.
Association between prediabetes and adverse outcomes in heart failure
Authors: Mai Linlin , Wen Weixing , Qiu Min , Liu Xiong , Sun Lichang , Zheng Haoxiao , Cai Xiaoyan , Huang Yuli
Published: July 2021

Aims

Patients with heart failure (HF) and with diabetes experienced significantly worse outcomes than those without diabetes. However, data on the prognostic impact of prediabetes in HF are inconclusive. This meta‐analysis aimed to explore the association between prediabetes and the risk of all‐cause mortality and adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with HF.

Materials and methods

We searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar) for relevant studies up to 31 March 2021. Studies were included for analysis if multivariable adjusted relative risks of adverse outcomes were reported in patients with prediabetes and with HF compared with those with normoglycaemia. Random‐effects models were used to calculate the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twelve studies comprising 28 643 patients with HF reported the risk of all‐cause mortality and cardiac outcomes associated with prediabetes. The prevalence of prediabetes ranged from 9.6% to 37.2%. After a median follow‐up duration of 2.3 years, patients with HF and with prediabetes were associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06‐1.58), cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09‐2.32), HF hospitalization (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09‐1.61), all‐cause mortality and/or HF hospitalization (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01‐1.47), as well as cardiovascular mortality and/or HF hospitalization (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07‐1.37).

Conclusions

Prediabetes is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with HF. Further risk stratification and effective treatment strategies are needed in patients with prediabetes and with HF to improve the prognosis.
A study of the pattern of dermatoses in adolescent patients in South India
Authors: Satish Nithya , Dakshinamoorthy Abirami , S Srikanth
Published: July 2021

Background

Adolescence describes the age group between 10 and 19 years. This is the transitional stage of physical and physiological human development generally occurring between puberty and adulthood. Hormonal changes occurring during puberty result in various physical and psychological changes, affecting their social relationship. At this stage, external appearance is of immense concern to them. As such, any dermatological condition can extremely affect their psychological status. This study was conducted to give an insight on the various dermatological conditions of the adolescent age groups and their incidence.

Methods

Study design: Descriptive study – Cross‐sectional study. Three hundred patients between the ages of 10 and 19 years, attending the tertiary care center in South India, were included in the study. A detailed history, clinical examination, and appropriate laboratory investigations were carried out.

Results

Out of 300 patients, females (52.7%) more commonly presented with dermatoses than males (47.3%). Most of the 300 patients belonged to the age group of 17–19 years (50.33%). Infections/infestations (39%) were the most predominant dermatoses followed by acne (17.67%), eczema (9.67%), insect bite reactions (IBRs) (7%), keratinization disorders (6.67%), polymorphic light eruptions (PLEs) (4.33%), urticaria (4.33%), and pigmentary disorders (4.33%).

Conclusion

This study gives an insight of various dermatological conditions among the adolescent age groups. Females more commonly presented with dermatoses. The most common dermatoses were infections. Since very few studies regarding dermatoses in adolescents are available in the literature, this study is distinctive in this regard.
A new algorithm shows superior ability to discriminate liver fibrosis stages in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Varchetta Stefania , Mele Dalila , D'Ambrosio Roberta , Perbellini Riccardo , Lombardi Andrea , Rojas Angela , Paolucci Stefania , Baldanti Fausto , Oliviero Barbara , Mantovani Stefania , Tinelli Carmine , De Silvestri Annalisa , Romero Gomez Manuel , Lampertico Pietro , Mondelli Mario U.
Published: July 2021

Previous evidence suggests that sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectin 7 (Siglec‐7) protein is significantly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and directly correlates with clinical parameters of liver inflammation and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of Siglec‐7 as a non‐invasive tool to assess liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C in a cross‐sectional study. Serum levels of Siglec‐7 were retrospectively tested in 1007 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection recruited at three different European sites and data examined by the ‘imperfect gold‐standard’ statistical analysis. Liver stiffness obtained by transient elastography (TE) was considered the standard reference. Liver fibrosis was staged according to published cut‐offs of liver stiffness measurement by TE. Accuracy of detection of liver fibrosis stage was not increased by Siglec‐7 alone. However, we developed a new index (SiGAP) including Siglec‐7, γ‐glutamyl transferase, age and platelet count which showed increased sensitivity and specificity in predicting fibrosis compared with APRI or FIB4 indices. The AUROC of SiGAP for the diagnosis of significant (≥F2) and advanced liver fibrosis (≥F3) showed significantly higher values than those of APRI and FIB‐4. Siglec‐7 may be useful as a complementary tool to assess liver fibrosis stage in patients with chronic hepatitis C when included in a specifically designed algorithm, which showed high level of accuracy in the detection of F2 and F3 fibrosis stage.
Peg‐interferon alpha add‐on Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate achieved more HBsAg loss in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B naïve patients
Authors: Li Jing , Qu Lihong , Sun Xuehua , Liu Yanhong , Gong Qiming , Yu Demin , Zhang Donghua , Jiang Jiehong , Chen Jia , Wei Dong , Han Yue , Gao Yueqiu , Zhang Qin , She Weimin , Chen Liang , Zhang Jiming , Zhang Xinxin
Published: July 2021

Several studies have showed that combining peg‐interferon alpha (Peg‐IFNα) with nucleotide analogues has complementary effects in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but the optimal regimen and potential mechanisms remain unclear. This was a prospective, longitudinal and multicentre clinical trial (NCT03013556). HBeAg‐positive CHB naïve patients were randomly assigned to three groups: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy for 96 weeks, TDF alone for 48 weeks and sequentially Peg‐IFNα added for 48 weeks, TDF de novo combination with Peg‐IFNα for 48 weeks then TDF alone for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was HBeAg seroconversion at week 96 and HBsAg loss as the secondary endpoint. Furthermore, the levels of 12 cytokines in serum were assessed at different time points. A total of 133 patients were included in the analysis. The rates of HBeAg seroconversion at 96 weeks were not significant different among the three groups (p = 0.157). Interestingly, patients in the Peg‐IFNα add‐on group showed markedly lower HBsAg level compared with the other two groups at week 96. In addition, only three patients in the Peg‐IFNα add‐on group achieved HBsAg loss. For the following 24 weeks from week 96, no HBsAg reappearance in the three patients and no new patients with HBsAg loss were observed in the three groups. Serum cytokine analysis showed that the baseline level of interferon‐inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10) was strongly higher in HBeAg conversion patients and HBsAg loss patients. Compared with de novo combination and TDF alone, the addition of Peg‐IFNα in TDF‐treated group might be an effective strategy for HBsAg loss in HBeAg‐positive CHB naïve patients.
Reducing microenvironments promote incorporation of magnesium ions into authigenic carbonate forming at methane seeps: Constraints for dolomite formation
Authors: Lu Yang , Yang Xin , Lin Zhiyong , Sun Xiaoming , Yang Yiping , Peckmann Jörn
Published: July 2021

In part composed of Mg calcite and dolomite with a nearly continuous spectrum of MgCO3 contents, carbonates forming at marine methane seeps are ideal candidates to study the formation of early diagenetic dolomite at surface conditions. Laboratory experiments, modelling and the co‐variation of mineralogical and geochemical attributes of seep carbonates suggest that sulphide – locally released from sulphate‐driven anaerobic oxidation of methane – drives catalytic dolomite formation at seeps. Direct comparison of the concentration of dissolved sulphide with the MgCO3 content of seep carbonate could test this hypothesis. Although the concentration of sulphide during precipitation of carbonate cannot be determined, sedimentary fabrics probably had an effect on local sulphide concentration. Carbonates from the seabed of the Shenhu seepage area of the South China Sea reveal longitudinal, winding and branched fabrics with a width of 400 to 700 μm, interpreted to represent burrows piercing semi‐consolidated sediment. The abandoned burrows were infilled with fine‐grained sediment, which was subsequently cemented by microcrystalline dolomite and Mg calcite. The degree of cation ordering of dolomite in burrow infills and host sediment is similar, indicating virtually coeval dolomite formation. The Mg/Ca mole ratios of carbonate minerals are lower in burrow infills than in the surrounding sedimentary matrix. Similarly, δ13Ccarbonate values tend to be higher for burrow infills (from −41 to −33‰) than for the matrix (from −43 to −38‰), suggesting stronger seawater influence on pore waters in the burrows. More reducing microenvironments of the sedimentary matrix supposedly came along with higher concentrations of dissolved sulphide, which allowed more Mg2+ ions to enter the crystal lattice and led to more catalytic dolomite formation in the host sediment. The distribution of MgCO3 contents and δ13C values in the authigenic Shenhu carbonates reinforces the hypothesis that sulphide release by sulphate‐driven anaerobic oxidation of methane is a key factor in the formation of dolomite at seeps.
Bright Fortunes
Authors: Langston Lee S.
Published: July 2021

The gas turbine industry took some unprecedented hits in 2020. And some sectors, such as the jet engine market, may take some time to recover. But new technologies, such as hydrogen burning turbines, give reason for hope.
Trypanosoma cruzi Exploits E- and P-Selectins To Migrate Across Endothelial Cells and Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Authors: Panagiotidou Smaro , Anastasiou Marina , Alcaide Pilar , Perrin Mercio A.
Published: July 2021

The Chagas disease parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi
must extravasate to home in on susceptible cells residing in most tissues. It remains unknown how
T. cruzi
undertakes this crucial step of its life cycle.
Expression of the Ebola Virus VP24 Protein Compromises the Integrity of the Nuclear Envelope and Induces a Laminopathy-Like Cellular Phenotype
Authors: Vidal Santiago , Sánchez-Aparicio Maite , Seoane Rocío , El Motiam Ahmed , Nelson Emily V. , Bouzaher Yanis H. , Baz-Martínez Maite , García-Dorival Isabel , Gonzalo Susana , Vázquez Enrique , Vidal Anxo , Muñoz-Fontela César , García-Sastre Adolfo , Rivas Carmen
Published: July 2021

The Ebola virus (EBOV) VP24 protein is a nucleocapsid-associated protein with multiple functions. Proteomic studies have identified the cellular nuclear membrane component emerin as a potential VP24 interactor.
Clinically Relevant Mutations of Mycobacterial GatCAB Inform Regulation of Translational Fidelity
Authors: Li Yang-Yang , Cai Rong-Jun , Yang Jia-Ying , Hendrickson Tamara L. , Xiang Ye , Javid Babak
Published: July 2021

Most bacteria use a two-step indirect pathway to aminoacylate tRNA
Gln
and tRNA
Asn
, despite the fact that the indirect pathway consumes more energy and is error prone. We have previously shown that the higher protein synthesis errors from this indirect pathway in mycobacteria allow adaptation to hostile environments such as antibiotic treatment through generation of novel alternate proteins not coded by the genome.
Pacemaker-relatedCandida parapsilosisfungaemia in an immunosuppressed renal transplant recipient
Authors: Hebert Josephine , Barr Ellen , Magee Colm
Published: July 2021

Renal transplant recipients are at risk for opportunistic infections due to their immunosuppressed state. We describe the case of a 59-year-old renal transplant recipient who presented with sepsis and bilateral pulmonary emboli due toCandida parapsilosis. She was treated with intravenous caspofungin and had a transoesophageal echocardiogram, which revealed vegetations on her pacemaker leads. She then underwent surgery to replace her pacemaker; however, her blood cultures remained positive forC. parapsilosispostoperatively. Her antifungal was switched to liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine for 6 weeks, which yielded sterile blood cultures, and she was then initiated on lifelong fluconazole. Her recovery was complicated by tacrolimus toxicity 1 month after discharge due to fluconazole-induced CYP3A inhibition.
Use of cast immobilisation versus removable brace in adults with an ankle fracture: multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kearney Rebecca , McKeown Rebecca , Parsons Helen , Haque Aminul , Parsons Nick , Nwankwo Henry , Mason James , Underwood Martin , Redmond Anthony C , Brown Jaclyn , Kefford Siobhan , Costa Matthew
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To assess function, quality of life, resource use, and complications in adults treated with plaster cast immobilisation versus a removable brace for ankle fracture.

Design

Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Setting

20 trauma units in the UK National Health Service.

Participants

669 adults aged 18 years and older with an acute ankle fracture suitable for cast immobilisation: 334 were randomised to a plaster cast and 335 to a removable brace.

Interventions

A below the knee cast was applied and ankle range of movement exercises started on cast removal. The removable brace was fitted, and ankle range of movement exercises were started immediately.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was the Olerud Molander ankle score at 16 weeks, analysed by intention to treat. Secondary outcomes were Manchester-Oxford foot questionnaire, disability rating index, quality of life, and complications at 6, 10, and 16 weeks.

Results

The mean age of participants was 46 years (SD 17 years) and 381 (57%) were women. 502 (75%) participants completed the study. No statistically significant difference was found in the Olerud Molander ankle score between the cast and removable brace groups at 16 weeks (favours brace: 1.8, 95% confidence interval −2.0 to 5.6). No clinically significant differences were found in the Olerud Molander ankle scores at other time points, in the secondary unadjusted, imputed, or per protocol analyses.

Conclusions

Traditional plaster casting was not found to be superior to functional bracing in adults with an ankle fracture. No statistically difference was found in the Olerud Molander ankle score between the trial arms at 16 weeks.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry
ISRCTN15537280
.