bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties of rapid quenching SAC355 lead-free solder alloy
Authors: Al-sorory Hamed , Gumaan Mohammed S. , Shalaby Rizk Mostafa
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of a small amount of TiO2 NPs addition on the microstructure, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of environmentally friendly eutectic (SAC355)100-x(TiO2)x (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 wt.%) solder alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

Mechanical, thermal and electrical properties and microstructure conditions are taken into major consideration in any study of materials containing nanoparticles. Dynamic resonance technique, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were carried out to study stiffness, identification of the phases and the morphology features of the solder. Structure and microstructure analysis indicated that the presence of rhombohedral β–Sn phase in addition to orthorhombic intermetallic compound (IMC) Ag3Sn and Cu3Sn phase dispersed in Sn matrix. In addition, the results showed that TiO2 NPs addition at a small trace amount into SAC355 system reduces and improves the particle size of both rhombohedral β–Sn and orthorhombic IMC Ag3Sn and Cu3Sn. The interstitial dispersion of TiO2 NPs at grain boundaries resulted in Ag3Sn being more uniform needle-like, which is distributed in the β–Sn matrix. The fine and uniform microstructure leads to improvement of mechanical strength.

Findings

Some important conclusions are summarized as follows: microstructure investigations revealed that the addition of TiO2 NPs particles to eutectic SAC355 inhibited in reducing and refines the crystallite size as well as the Ag3Sn IMC, which reinforced the strength of plain solder alloy. The mechanical properties values such as Young’s modulus and Vickers microhardness of SAC355 solder alloy can be significantly improved by adding a trace amount of TiO2 NPs compared with plain solder because of the existence of appropriate volume fraction of Ag3Sn IMC. The results show that the best creep resistance is obtained when the addition of 0.3 wt.% of TiO2 NPs is compared to plain solder. TiO2 NPs addition could increase the melting temperature, compared with plain solder. All results showed that TiO2 NPs addition is an effective method to enhance new solder joints.

Practical implications

New solder alloys.

Originality/value

Development of TiO2 NPs-doped eutectic SAC355 lead-free solder for electronic packaging.
The place of ISO 18404:2015 in organisational improvement
Authors: Oudrhiri Radouane , Al-Balushi Mustafa , Anwyl Stuart , Bendell Anthony , Chamie Sabet , Coleman Shirley Yvonne , Hayman Mark , Hilton Roger , Melhem Osama Ahmad , Patel Jayeshkumat , Ward Steve , White Simon , Whitehouse Peter
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper gives the background to the ISO 18404:2015 standard and explains its rationale. It aims to correct misconceptions and erroneous statements about the standard appearing in the paper by Antony et al. (2021) and to demonstrate the usefulness of the standard in a wide range of application sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of recently reported misconceptions and erroneous statements is presented and clarifications are provided. A qualitative interview approach was utilised to obtain the views of leading academics and practitioners familiar with Six Sigma and Lean in a range of sectors and from different parts of the world. This includes the results of a survey for capturing expectations and requirements for the next ISO18404 version.

Findings

Clarifications were needed to correct some misconceptions and erroneous statements in recently published work. However, on review, the reports of the interviews in Antony et al. (2021) indicate that most Lean Six Sigma professionals have positive experiences with ISO 18404:2015 and see the advantages of a common standard in helping continuous improvement deployment. Possible causes of some reported negative results are already scheduled to be addressed in the forthcoming review of ISO 18404:2015.

Research limitations/implications

A very real constraint when conducting research into ISO 18404:2015 is to obtain a balanced view of the standard from those who have a vested interest in its continuation and evolution, or not. Whilst the authors cannot claim to be any more objective than Antony et al.’s (2021) authors and commentators, they are, in contrast to that group, highly knowledgeable about the reality of the standard, rather than speculating in ignorance.

Practical implications

A very real constraint when conducting research into ISO 18404:2015 is to obtain a balanced view of the standard which is balanced with respect from those who have a vested interest in its continuation and evolution, or not. Whilst the current authors cannot claim to be any more objective than previous authors, Antony et al.’s (2021) authors and commentators, they are, in contrast to that group, highly knowledgeable about the reality of the standard, rather than speculating in ignorance.

Originality/value

The paper gives a clear description of the ISO standard development process and provides a resource for people to obtain insight into the value or non-value add of a standard in Six Sigma and Lean, and the appropriate details of such a standard. These results can form the basis of a case for the implementation of the standard for those organisations currently trying to decide whether or not to implement it.
Social stratification in meaningful work: Occupational class disparities in the United Kingdom
Authors: Williams Mark , Gifford Jonny , Zhou Ying
Published: April 2022

Sociologists have long been interested in the meaning workers derive from their jobs. The issue has garnered increasing academic and policy attention in recent years with the concept of “meaningful work,” yet little is known about how social stratification relates to access to it. This paper addresses this issue by exploring how the meaningfulness of jobs—as rated by their incumbents—is stratified across classes and occupations in a national survey of 14,000 working adults in the United Kingdom. It finds modest differentials between classes, with those in routine and manual occupations reporting the lowest levels of meaningfulness and those in managerial and professional occupations and small employers and own account workers reporting the highest levels. Detailed job attributes (e.g., job complexity and development opportunities) explain much of the differences in meaningfulness between classes and occupations, and much of the overall variance in meaningfulness. The main exception is the specific case of how useful workers perceive their jobs to be for society: A handful of occupations relating to health, social care, and protective services which cut across classes stand out from all other occupations. The paper concludes that the modest stratification between classes and occupations in meaningful work is largely due to disparities in underlying job complexity and development opportunities. The extent to which these aspects of work can be improved, and so meaningfulness, especially in routine and manual occupations, is an open, yet urgent, question.
Identification of two new recessive MC1R alleles in red‐coloured Evolèner cattle and other breeds
Authors: Hauser Miriam , Signer‐Hasler Heidi , Küttel Luzia , Capitan Aurélien , Guldbrandtsen Bernt , Hinrichs Dirk , Flury Christine , Seefried Franz R. , Drögemüller Cord
Published: April 2022

Sequence variations in the melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) gene are associated with melanism in different animal species. Six functionally relevant alleles have been described in cattle to date. In a hypothesis‐free approach we performed a genome‐wide allelic association study with black, red and wild‐coloured cattle of three Alpine cattle breeds (Eringer, Evolèner and Valdostana), revealing a single significant association signal close to the MC1R gene. We searched for candidate causative variants by sequencing the entire coding sequence and identified two novel protein‐changing variants. We propose designating the mutant alleles at MC1R:c.424C>T as ev1 and at MC1R:c.263G>A as ev2. Both affect conserved amino acid residues in functionally important transmembrane domains (p.Arg142Cys and p.Ser88Asn). Both alleles segregate predominantly in the Swiss Evolèner breed. They occur in other European cattle breeds such as Abondance and Rotes Höhenvieh as well. We observed almost perfect association between the MC1R genotypes and the coat colour phenotype in a cohort of 513 black, red and wild‐coloured cattle. Animals carrying two copies of MC1R loss‐of‐function alleles or that were compound heterozygous for e, ev1, or ev2 have a red to dark red (chestnut‐like red) coat colour. These findings expand the spectrum of causal MC1R variants causing recessive red in cattle.
COVID‐19 disease and vaccination in pregnant and lactating women
Authors: Safadi Marco A. P. , Spinardi Julia , Swerdlow David , Srivastava Amit
Published: April 2022

Background

More than 325,000 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have been reported among pregnant women in the Americas.

Aims

This review examines the impact of COVID‐19 in pregnant women and describes available evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and immune response(s) to vaccination among pregnant and lactating women.

Content

Multiple studies indicate that pregnant women are more susceptible to adverse COVID‐19 outcomes, including hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and invasive ventilation than non‐pregnant women with COVID‐19. Furthermore, COVID‐19 in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Adverse COVID‐19 outcomes appear to disproportionately affect pregnant women from low‐ and middle‐income countries, likely reflecting inequities in access to quality healthcare. Despite the absence of safety and efficacy data from randomized clinical trials in this subpopulation, observational studies and data from pregnancy registries thus far have demonstrated that vaccination of pregnant or lactating women against COVID‐19 is safe, effective, and results in robust immune responses including transfer of antibodies to the newborn via the placenta and breast milk, respectively.

Implications

These data support vaccination recommendations intending to help protect these vulnerable individuals against COVID‐19 and its sequelae. Randomized clinical studies will further evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of COVID‐19 vaccines in these populations. This review examines the impact of COVID‐19 in pregnant women and describes available evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and immune response(s) to vaccination among pregnant and lactating women.
Association between screening for antenatal depressive symptoms and delivery outcomes: The Born in Queensland Study
Authors: San Martin Porter Macarena A. , Kisely Steve , Salom Caroline , Betts Kim S. , Alati Rosa
Published: April 2022

Background

Evidence shows that depressive symptoms during pregnancy increase the risk of an intervention during delivery (induction, the use of forceps or vacuum, and caesarean sections (CS)). Many women with depression during pregnancy are not identified and therefore will not receive appropriate follow up of their symptoms. We hypothesised that routine screening for depressive symptoms during pregnancy could reduce detrimental consequences of depressive symptoms on delivery outcomes.

Aim

We explored the association between screening for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and delivery outcomes.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis of state‐wide administrative data sets. The population included all women who delivered a singleton in Queensland between the July and December of 2015. Logistic regression analyses were run in 27 501 women (93.1% of the total population) with information in all variables. The following were the main outcomes: onset of labour, CS, instrumental vaginal delivery, and all operative deliveries (including both CS and instrumental vaginal deliveries).

Results

Women who completed the screening had increased odds of a spontaneous onset of labour (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.18; 95% CI 1.09–1.27) and decreased odds of an operative delivery (instrumental or CS) (aOR 0.88; 95% CI 0.81–0.96). Among women who had a vaginal delivery, those who completed the screening had decreased odds of having an instrumental delivery (aOR 0.84; 95% CI 0.74–0.97). Sensitivity analyses in women who did not have a formal diagnosis of depression showed similar results.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that screening may decrease interventions during delivery in women with depressive symptoms.
Patient acceptability, continuation and complication rates with immediate postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion at caesarean section and vaginal birth
Authors: Wojcik Natasha , Watkins Leah , Nugent Rachael
Published: April 2022

Background

Immediate postpartum long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) has been shown to reduce unintended pregnancy but uptake of this type of contraception in Australia is low compared to European counterparts.

Aims

To assess self‐reported continuation rates, complications and satisfaction in patients having immediate postpartum hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) inserted at caesarean section (CS) or after vaginal birth (VB).

Materials and methods

Retrospective cohort study of all patients with immediate postpartum hormonal IUD insertion over three years at a tertiary maternity service. Primary outcomes were patient satisfaction, continuation and expulsion rates. Secondary outcomes were reason for discontinuation, patient‐reported complications, attendance for postpartum check with a general practitioner (GP) and rate of unplanned pregnancy. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

One hundred and ninety‐three women had a hormonal IUD inserted and 143 consented to involvement (CS n = 79; VB n = 64). Six and 12 months continuation rates for CS were 60.8% and 54.4%, and VB were 46.9% and 39.1%. The most common reasons for removal were: pain (34.5%), heavy or irregular bleeding (25.9%) and partial expulsion (24.1%). Expulsion was more likely after VB (34.1%) than CS (10.1%), (odds ratio 2.72; 95% CI 1.07–6.90; P = 0.036). There were 60.8% of women post‐CS and 56.3% of women post‐VB who were satisfied with their decision to have immediate postpartum insertion and most women attended routine postpartum follow‐up with their GP (89.5%).

Conclusion

Immediate postpartum hormonal IUD insertion in this cohort is associated with higher rates of expulsion and lower satisfaction rates compared to those documented in the literature for delayed postpartum insertion cohorts.
Early‐onset colorectal cancer: why it should be high on our list of differentials
Authors: Garrett Celine , Steffens Daniel , Solomon Michael , Koh Cherry
Published: April 2022

Background

Early‐onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) (<50 years) incidence has increased in Australia and worldwide. However, the diagnosis of EOCRC is often delayed. Recent research has discovered some differences from later‐onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC) (>50 years). An awareness of the unique features of EOCRC is crucial to reduce time from symptom onset to diagnosis.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) using the search terms “early onset colorectal cancer” or “young onset colorectal cancer.”

Results

The American Cancer Society has reduced the colorectal cancer screening initiation age to 45 for average‐risk adults whilst screening programmes in the United Kingdom and Australia remain unchanged with initiation at 60 and 50, respectively. Exposures resulting in dysbiosis (obesity, westernised diet, alcohol, antibiotic and sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption) have been linked with increased EOCRC risk. EOCRC is often left‐sided presenting with rectal bleeding, altered bowel habit and constitutional symptoms. EOCRC is more commonly sporadic than hereditary, harbouring different genetic mutations than LOCRC. Comparative survival outcomes of EOCRC and LOCRC are conflicting with studies suggesting either better or poorer survival. Young patients better tolerate treatment‐related toxicities, which may account for their improved survival despite comparatively advanced stages and poorer histopathological features at diagnosis.

Conclusion

Current EOCRC literature is limited by American‐focused datasets and heterogenous EOCRC definitions and study designs (the greatest strength of evidence exists for EOCRC risk factor studies comprised of large retrospective cohorts). There is minimal research into the quality of life and surgical outcomes of EOCRC patients, and this area warrants further investigation.
Nutrition adequacy, gastrointestinal, and hepatic function during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in critically ill adults: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Visvalingam Rozanne , Ridley Emma , Barnett Adrian , Rahman Tony , Fraser John F.
Published: April 2022

Aims

To identify clinical and biochemical markers associated with nutrition adequacy and gastrointestinal and liver dysfunction in adults on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods

A retrospective, observational, study was conducted at 2 centres in Australia. Adult patients who received ECMO from July 2011 to June 2015 were included. Mode of ECMO used, fluid balance, number of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria present, vasoactive‐inotropic scores (VIS) and liver function tests (LFTs) were collected for the duration of ECMO until 7 days after ECMO cessation. Multiple regression models were used to determine if the collected variables were associated with nutrition adequacy. The mean LFTs during ECMO were also compared to mean LFTs post ECMO cessation.

Results

During the first 5 days of ECMO commencement, mean nutrition adequacy was 10% higher in the veno‐venous (VV) ECMO group than in the veno‐arterial (VA) group (95% confidence interval [CI], 2% to 17%). For every 5000 ml increase of fluid balance, an associated decrease in nutrition adequacy was observed (−8%, 95% CI: −15% to −2%). A doubling of bilirubin and VIS were associated with a mean reduction in nutrition adequacy of −5% (95% CI –8% to −2%) and − 2% (95% CI: −3% to −1%), respectively.

Conclusions

In the first 5 days of ECMO commencement, higher nutrition adequacy was associated with the VV mode of ECMO and reduced nutrition adequacy with increased fluid balance, more vasopressor and inotropic support and raised bilirubin. Prospective investigation is required to confirm whether these associations have a causal relationship.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the first three waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A retrospective single‐center registry study
Authors: Widmeier Eugen , Wengenmayer Tobias , Maier Sven , Benk Christoph , Zotzmann Viviane , Staudacher Dawid L. , Supady Alexander
Published: April 2022

Background

Despite increasing knowledge about the optimal treatment for patients with severe COVID‐19, data from different cohorts suggested that survival of patients treated with ECMO seemed to decline over the course of the pandemic.

Methods

In this non‐interventional retrospective single‐center registry study we analyzed all consecutive patients tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and supported with VV ECMO in our center during the first three waves of the pandemic. From March 2020 through June 2021, 59 patients have been included.

Results

Overall 90‐day survival was 32%. Besides changes in drug treatment for COVID‐19 and a lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio before ECMO initiation during the third wave, all other patient baseline characteristics were similar during the three waves. Survival rate was highest during the first wave and lowest during the third wave, yet this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

VV ECMO has shown to be a feasible and safe support option for patients with severe respiratory failure due to COVID‐19. The results from this single‐center study confirm findings from other cohorts showing declining survival rates of patients treated with VV ECMO during the COVID‐19 pandemic, however, the specific reasons for this finding remain unclear.
Virtual surgical planning and data ownership: Navigating the provider‐patient‐vendor relationship
Authors: Konicki William S. , Wasmuht‐Perroud Vivian , Aaron Chase A. , Caplan Arthur L.
Published: April 2022

The practice of modern craniomaxillofacial surgery has been defined by emergent technologies allowing for the acquisition, storage, utilization, and transfer of massive amounts of sensitive and identifiable patient data. This alone has thrust providers into an unlikely and unprecedented role as the stewards of vast databases of digital information. This data powers the potent surgical tool of virtual surgical planning, a method by which craniomaxillofacial surgeons plan and simulate procedural outcomes in a digital environment. Further complicating this new terrain is the involvement of third‐party contractors—a necessary presence in bringing raw data to bear in the office, virtual space, and operating room. The individual privileges and responsibilities of patients, providers, and vendors towards data are situated within the most recent U.S. court rulings and regulations. This paper offers guidance for overseeing the safe and responsible transfer to third‐party contractors, and provides suggestions for negotiating the trinary relationship between physicians, their patients, and the vendors offering this transformative technology.
The unequal impact of Covid‐19 on the lives and rights of the children of modern slavery survivors, children in exploitation and children at risk of entering exploitation
Authors: Jiménez Erika , Brotherton Vicky , Gardner Alison , Wright Nicola , Browne Hannah , Esiovwa Nancy , Dang Minh , Wyman Emily , Bravo‐Balsa Liana , Lucas Benjamin , Gul Mohsen , Such Elizabeth , Trodd Zoe
Published: April 2022

This article discusses the unequal impact of Covid‐19 on the lives of the children of survivors of modern slavery, child victims of exploitation and children at risk of exploitation in the UK. It draws on research that has analysed the risks and impacts of Covid‐19 on victims and survivors of modern slavery. It explores how pandemic responses may have hindered these children's rights to education, food, safety, development and participation and representation in legal processes. It suggests that the pandemic should be used as an impetus to address inequalities that existed pre‐Covid‐19 and those that have been exacerbated by it.
Room for space in agencification reforms: A tale of three Italian museums
Authors: Bonini Baraldi Sara , Di Mascio Fabrizio , Ferri Paolo
Published: April 2022

The debate on agencification in the public sector has traditionally overlooked the influence of space on how autonomy unfolds in practice. Starting with the contention that organizing and space are interweaved, the study analyzes the early stages of the agencification process of three Italian museums and reveals that space is a constraint to, and an enabler of, de facto autonomy for newly created entities. Space is a constraint when spatial changes are temporally misaligned with the agencification process, including directorship cycles. On the other hand, space enables de facto autonomy, as it is purposely modified to accommodate new demands and needs by newly appointed managers. The paper maintains that policy makers and site managers should seriously consider space when dealing with agencification reforms, paying attention to the revenue and cost implications of spatial solutions, and the areas of responsibility concerning buildings and objects.
Nest reliefs in a cryptically incubating shorebird are quick, but vocal
Authors: Bulla Martin , Muck Christina , Tritscher Daniela , Kempenaers Bart
Published: April 2022

In species with biparental care, coordination of parental behaviour between pair members increases reproductive success. Coordination is difficult if opportunities to communicate are scarce, which might have led to the evolution of elaborate nest relief rituals in species facing a low predation risk. However, whether such conspicuous rituals also evolved in species that avoid predation by relying on crypsis remains unclear. Here, we used a continuous monitoring system to describe nest relief behaviour during incubation in an Arctic‐breeding shorebird with passive nest defence, the Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla. We also explored whether behaviour of exchanging parents informs about parental coordination and predicts incubation effort. We found that incubating parents vocalized twice as much before the arrival of their partner than during other times of incubation. In at least 75% of exchanges, the incubating parent left the nest only after its partner had returned and initiated the nest relief. In these cases, exchanges were quick (25 s, median) and shortened over the incubation period by 0.1–1.4 s/day (95% CI), suggesting that parents became more synchronized. However, nest reliefs were not cryptic. In 90% of exchanges, at least one parent vocalized, and in 20% of nest reliefs the incubating parent left the nest only after its returning partner called incessantly. In 27% of cases, the returning parent initiated the nest relief with a call; in 39% of these cases, the incubating partner replied. If the partner replied, its following off‐nest bout was 1–4 h (95% CI) longer than when the partner did not reply, which corresponds to an 8–45% increase. Our results indicate that incubating Semipalmated Sandpipers, which rely on crypsis to avoid nest predation, have quick but acoustically conspicuous nest reliefs. Our results also suggest that vocalizations during nest reliefs may be important for the coordination and division of parental duties.
Improvement of the water solubility and emulsifying capacity of rice proteins through the addition of isolated soy protein
Authors: Baek Manhee , Mun Saehun
Published: April 2022

The market for rice protein (RP) has been steadily growing, but applications of RPs as food ingredients and functional materials are limited due to poor solubility in water. Here, the complex of RP and isolated soy protein (ISP) was prepared, and the potential utility of RP–ISP complex as an emulsifier was evaluated. The solubility of the RP solution was 25.8% whereas it was greatly increased to 68.4% in the RP–ISP complex. The properties of RP and RP–ISP complex were assessed by scanning electron microscope, gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and surface hydrophobicity test. Next soybean oil emulsions were prepared using the RP and RP–ISP complex. The RP‐stabilised emulsion was unstable to storage. In contrast, the RP–ISP complex‐stabilised emulsions showed good stability, especially when more than 0.2% ISP was added. These data suggest that the preparation of soluble RPs by ISP could expand the applications of RP in the food industry.
Structural, morphological and rheological characterisation of bovine serum albumin–cress seed gum complex coacervate
Authors: Hamedi Fatemeh , Razavi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Sharif Ali
Published: April 2022

The interactions between the bovine serum albumin (BSA) and cress seed gum (CSG) were investigated by structural, morphological and rheological characterisation as a function of pH level (7.0–2.0) and biopolymers’ concentrations (BSA, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1%, w/w and CSG, 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1%, w/w). The results showed that turbidity, zeta potential and coacervate yield values had correlations with the initial number of biopolymers, which are influenced by the level of the positive and negative charges of BSA and CSG. Furthermore, the optimal complexation conditions in terms of pH, CSG‐BSA content and yield were 3.5%, 0.05–0.1% and 61.17% respectively. Rheological properties revealed the formation of a weakly gel‐like structure with a shear‐thinning behaviour. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) authenticated an amorphous and branch‐like network structure in the coacervate phase respectively. These results reflect that CSG‐BSA complex coacervate could be an appropriate biopolymer carrier for susceptible and bioactive compounds.
Microbiological, physicochemical and structural characteristics of natural salted casings treated with antibacterial agents
Authors: Jiang Qixing , Fu Yuhan , Gao Pei , Yu Dawei , Xia Wenshui
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of antibacterial agent ultrasonic immersion on the quality of salted casings in terms of microorganism, physicochemical characters and structure characteristics. The results showed that citric acid immersion had the most significant effect as compared to that of control samples, with a reduction of 1.00, 1.65 and 1.66 log CFU g−1 in Staphylococcus, Halophile and Psychrophiles compared to control samples respectively. Citric acid and tea polyphenol treatment increased the elongation at break of casings by 11.3% and 10.4%, and the most significant increase in the tensile strength of samples with chitosan oligosaccharide was 13.7%. Meanwhile, all samples were not discriminative in colour, collagen solubility, water solubility, thermal swelling and thermal shrinking rate. Furthermore, a compact and dense casing surfaces found by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images after antibacterial agent treatment. Therefore, antibacterial agent immersion has the potential to control microorganisms’ growth, improve mechanical properties and extend the application field of salted casings.
Texture and rehydration properties of texturised soy protein: analysis based on soybean 7S and 11S proteins
Authors: Liu Ying , Huang Ze‐Hua , Hu Zhe‐Xin , Yu Zhuo , An Hong‐Zhou
Published: April 2022

Soy protein, one of the most commonly used raw materials for texturised vegetable protein, has an important influence on texturised soy protein (TSP) with its 7S and 11S fractions. In this study, soy 7S and 11S proteins were extracted from soybean isolate and added back to the raw material to prepare TSP and analyse the effect of both on the physical properties of TSP. The results showed that the addition of 5% soy 7s or 11s protein increased the water‐holding capacity (up to 9.04%) and rehydration rate (up to 25.71%) of TSP. Compared with adding soy 11s protein, adding soy 7s protein has a faster rehydration rate at a lower temperature (30 and 45 °C). After extrusion, the content of free sulphhydryl groups, total sulphhydryl groups, and disulphide bonds was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The extrusion treatment caused degradation of the protein chains, and the proteins mainly formed insoluble polymers. Electrophoretic analysis revealed that the sodium dodecyl‐sulphate (SDS) reducing the extractable rate of the precipitate after SDS non‐reduction extraction of the TSP added with 5% soy 7S and 11S proteins were lower than that of the control. The proportion of different soybean protein components in TSP could change its texture, water‐holding, and rehydration characteristics of it, which provides a new method for the characteristics design of TSP.
Osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein‐1 harnesses glial‐, immune‐, and neuronal cell ligand‐receptor interactions to sense and regulate acute and chronic neuroinflammation
Authors: Yim Ashley , Smith Christian , Brown Amanda M.
Published: April 2022

Osteopontin (OPN) also known by its official gene designation secreted phosphoprotein‐1 (SPP1) is a fascinating, multifunctional protein expressed in a number of cell types that functions not only in intercellular communication, but also in the extracellular matrix (ECM). OPN/SPP1 possesses cytokine, chemokine, and signal transduction functions by virtue of modular structural motifs that provide interaction surfaces for integrins and CD44‐variant receptors. In humans, there are three experimentally verified splice variants of OPN/SPP1 and CD44’s ten exons are also alternatively spiced in a cell/tissue‐specific manner, although very little is known about how this is regulated in the central nervous system (CNS). Post‐translational modifications of phosphorylation, glycosylation, and localized cleavage by specific proteases in the cells and tissues where OPN/SPP1 functions, provides additional layers of specificity. However, the former make elucidating the exact molecular mechanisms of OPN/SPP1 function more complex. Flexibility in OPN/SPP1 structure and its engagement with integrins having the ability to transmit signals in inside‐out and outside‐in direction, is likely why OPN/SPP1 can serve as an early detector of inflammation and ongoing tissue damage in response to cancer, stroke, traumatic brain injury, pathogenic infection, and neurodegeneration, processes that impair tissue homeostasis. This review will focus on what is currently known about OPN/SPP1 function in the brain.
Moving on after critical incidents in health care: A qualitative study of the perspectives and experiences of second victims
Authors: Buhlmann Melanie , Ewens Beverley , Rashidi Amineh
Published: April 2022

Aims

To gain a deeper understanding of nurses and midwives' experiences following involvement in a critical incident in a non‐critical care area and to explore how they have 'moved‐on' from the event.

Design

An interpretive descriptive design guided inductive inquiry to interpret the meaning of moving‐on.

Methods

Purposive sampling recruited 10 nurses and midwives. Data collection comprised semi‐structured interviews, memos and field notes. Data were concurrently collected and analysed during 2016–2017 with NVivo 11. The thematic analysis enabled a coherent analytical framework evolving emerging themes and transformation of the data into credible interpretive description findings, adhering to the COREQ reporting guidelines.

Results

The findings revealed five main themes: Initial emotional and physical response, the aftermath, long‐lasting repercussions, workplace support and moving‐on.

Conclusion

This study shed light on the perceptions of nurses and midwives who lived through the impact of critical incidents. Through their lens, the strategies engaged in to move‐on were identified and their call for organizational and collegial support received a voice.
A real‐world, non‐interventional, prospective study of the effectiveness and safety of apremilast in bio‐naïve adults with moderate plaque psoriasis treated in the routine care in Greece – the ‘APRAISAL’ study
Authors: Ioannides D. , Antonakopoulos N. , Chasapi V. , Oikonomou C. , Tampouratzi E. , Lazaridou E. , Rigopoulos D. , Neofotistou O. , Drosos A. , Anastasiadis G. , Rovithi E. , Kalinou C. , Papadavid E. , Aronis P. , Papageorgiou M. , Protopapa A. , Bassukas I. , Lefaki I. , Zafiriou E. , Krasagakis K. , Pokas E. , Anagnostopoulos Z. , Kekki A. , Papakonstantis M.
Published: April 2022

Background

Real‐world data in patients with moderate psoriasis treated with apremilast is limited.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of apremilast in bio‐naïve patients with moderate psoriasis in real‐world clinical settings.

Methods

This was a 52‐week multicenter, observational, prospective study of adult outpatients with moderate psoriasis {[10% < body surface area < 20% or 10 < psoriasis area severity index (PASI) < 20] and 10 < dermatology quality of life index (DLQI) < 20} initiated on apremilast ≤7 days before enrollment. Missing data were imputed using the last observation carried forward method.

Results

A total of 287 eligible patients (median age: 54.2 years; median psoriasis duration: 9.8 years) were consecutively enrolled. At baseline, the median DLQI and PASI scores were 12.0 and 11.8, respectively. The 52‐week DLQI ≤ 5 and PASI75 response rates were 68.3% and 61.0%. At 52 weeks, 70.8% and 72.7% of the patients shifted from moderate/severe/very severe to clear/minimal scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis involvement, respectively; the pruritus severity state improved in 67.2%. The 52‐week Kaplan–Meier estimated drug continuation rate was 85.3%. The adverse drug reaction rate was 19.9%.

Conclusions

Apremilast is a safe and effective treatment for bio‐naïve patients with moderate psoriasis and specific psoriasis manifestations.
Restraint practice in the somatic acute care hospital: A participant observation study
Authors: Thomann Silvia , Zwakhalen Sandra , Siegrist‐Dreier Sandra , Hahn Sabine
Published: April 2022

Aims and Objectives

We aimed to describe daily restraint practices and the factors which influence their use, from an outsider's perspective.

Background

A reduction in restraint use is recommended in health care. However, somatic acute care hospital settings currently lack effective reduction strategies. Thus far, hospital restraint practice is described in terms of quantitative assessments and the ‘insider’ view of healthcare professionals. However, as factors such as routine or personal beliefs seem to play a relevant role in restraint use, these approaches might be incomplete and biased.

Design

A qualitative observation study design was employed.

Methods

Fieldwork with unstructured participant observation was conducted at a department of geriatrics and a department of intensive care in Switzerland between November 2019 and January 2020. Data were recorded as field notes. The analysis was conducted iteratively in two coding cycles using descriptive coding followed by pattern coding. We adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).

Results

A total of 67 hours of observation were conducted. We found that daily restraint practice can be described in three categories: the context in which restraints are used, the decision‐making process on the use and continued use of restraints, and the avoidance of restraint use. Most processes and decisions seem to take place unconsciously, and their standardisation is weak.

Conclusions

The lack of standardisation favours intuitive and unreflective action, which is prompted by what is also known as heuristic decision‐making. To transform daily restraint practice, a technical solution that leads restraint management in line with ethical and legal requirements might be useful.

Relevance to clinical practice

The outsider perspective has allowed daily restraint practice to be described independently of existing routines, departmental cultures and personal attitudes. This is important to comprehensively describe restrictive practices, which is a prerequisite for the development of effective restraint reduction strategies.
Macroscopic findings of brain with dementia
Authors: Hashizume Yoshio
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we have described the points to be noted when examining the macroscopic findings of the brain of patients with dementia. The characteristics of the macroscopic findings of the brain of patients with dementia are shown in the figure of the outer surface and the cut surface. Gross findings in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease should consider, in addition to the degree of limbic changes, whether the atrophy is diffuse, the degree of ventricular enlargement, and the complications of vascular changes. The macroscopic findings of the brain of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies are characterized by the absence of notable abnormal findings other than the depigmentation of the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus. In dementia with Lewy bodies, other types of dementia complications should be considered if abnormal findings are present. It should be noted that accurate diagnosis of argyrophilic grain dementia and senile dementia of neurofibrillary tangle type by macroscopic findings alone is often difficult to distinguish from a mild case of Alzheimer's disease and change by physiological aging in particular. In frontotemporal lobar degeneration, changes in the basal ganglia, brain stem, cerebellum and motor neurons should be observed to make a differential diagnosis of various types of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. It is important to understand the areas that are often damaged in different types of dementia and the extent of lesions, and to distinguish each type of dementia. Care should be taken as macroscopic findings are more complex when several types of dementia are mixed. It was shown that accurate understanding of macroscopic findings is essential for understanding clinical symptoms, imaging findings, differential diagnosis of dementia and disease pathogenesis.
ADAPTOR PROTEIN‐1 complex‐mediated post‐Golgi trafficking is critical for pollen wall development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xu Mei , Yan Xu , Wang Yutong , Liu Chan , Yang Qian , Tian Dan , Bednarek Sebastian Y. , Pan Jianwei , Wang Chao
Published: April 2022

Primexine deposition is essential for the formation of pollen wall patterns and is precisely regulated by the tapetum and microspores. While tapetum‐ and/or microspore‐localized proteins are required for primexine biosynthesis, how their trafficking is established and controlled is poorly understood.

In Arabidopsis thaliana, AP1σ1 and AP1σ2, two genes encoding the σ subunit of the trans‐Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE)‐localized ADAPTOR PROTEIN‐1 complex (AP‐1), are partially redundant for plant viability, and the loss of AP1σ1 function reduces male fertility due to defective primexine formation. Here, we investigated the role of AP‐1 in pollen wall formation.

The deposition of Acyl‐CoA SYNTHETASE5 (ACOS5) and type III LIPID TRANSFER PROTEINs (LTPs) secreted from the anther tapetum, which are involved in exine formation, were impaired in ap1σ1 mutants. In addition, the microspore plasma membrane (PM) protein RUPTURED POLLEN GRAIN1 (RPG1), which regulates primexine deposition, accumulated abnormally at the TGN/EE in ap1σ1 mutants. We show that AP‐1μ recognizes the YXXΦ motif of RPG1, thereby regulating its PM abundance through endocytic trafficking, and that loss of AP1σ1 decreases the levels of other AP‐1 subunits at the TGN/EE.

Our observations show that AP‐1‐mediated post‐Golgi trafficking plays a vital role in pollen wall development by regulating protein transport in tapetal cells and microspores.
Interspecific differences in root foraging precision cannot be directly inferred from species' mycorrhizal status or fine root economics
Authors: Stiblíková Pavlína , Klimeš Adam , Cahill James F. , Koubek Tomáš , Weiser Martin
Published: April 2022

Nutrient acquisition in plants can be represented by a suite of intercorrelated root traits such as root diameter, nitrogen content, root tissue density and specific root length. However, it is unclear how a plant's ability to precisely forage for nutrients in a heterogeneous soil environment (i.e. the precision of placing roots into nutrient‐rich areas) relates to these traits. Mycorrhizal symbiosis also affects the relationship between the fine root traits and root foraging precision because fungal hyphae may be used for foraging instead of roots. Hypotheses matching high root foraging precision with low mycorrhizal colonization or ‘fast' acquisitive strategies of plants have been raised based either on data from tree species or a limited number of herbaceous species.

To test these hypotheses, we compiled data quantifying the experimentally measured degree to which root biomass responded to patchy substrate nutrient concentrations (i.e. root foraging precision) for 123 herbaceous grassland species using a partial meta‐analysis. We tested root foraging precision relationship with root traits involved in nutrient acquisition and mycorrhizal symbiosis (root diameter, specific root length, root tissue density, root tissue nitrogen content and mycorrhizal colonization). The root foraging precision data came from four different pot experiments, and the trait data were extracted from publicly available trait databases. We used a phylogenetically informed approach in order to detect the degree of conservation of the relationships.

We found that root foraging precision was not significantly correlated with other fine root traits and mycorrhizal colonization. Thus, it appears unrelated to the main dimensions of the nutrient acquisition space of herbaceous species, namely acquisitive–conservative strategy and outsourcing of acquisition to the fungi. Also, we found only a very weak phylogenetic signal in root foraging precision of 123 species. Our results suggest that root foraging precision constitutes another distinct, evolutionarily independent dimension in herbaceous species' trait space.
Effectiveness of a Whole-of-School Approach in Promoting Physical Activity for Children: Evidence From Cohort Study in Primary Schools in Thailand
Authors: Katewongsa Piyawat , Choolers Panya , Saonuam Pairoj , Widyastari Dyah Anantalia
Published: April 2022

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a whole-of-school approach by using the 4PC model (Active Policy, Active People, Active Program, Active Place, and Active Classroom) in improving physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior of school children in Thailand. Method: We employed a quasi-experimental cohort design in which the intervention group was exposed to the 4PC model and control schools performed their regular routine. We followed the same students from 10 participating schools over a 2-year academic period (2017–2019) from primary school Grades 4–6. A total of 119 of 184 students in the intervention group, and 173 of 254 students in the control group were present in all five rounds of data collection and are included in the analysis. Results: Compared to students in the control group without the 4PC exposure, students in the intervention group accumulated an additional 19–25 min of physical activity time and experienced a 31-min reduction in sedentary time. Conclusion: As a whole-of-school approach, the 4PC model was effective in increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior of primary school children in Thailand.
Measuring the Concurrent Validity of the Athletic Skills Track Using Expert Judgment
Authors: Brocken Johanna E.A. , van der Kamp John , Wormhoudt Rene , Lenoir Matthieu L. , Savelsbergh Geert J.P.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study is to measure the concurrent validity of the Athletic Skills Track (AST) by examining whether its outcome score correlates with the holistic judgments of experts about the quality of movement. Method: Video recordings of children performing the AST were shown to physical education teachers who independently gave a holistic rating of the movement quality of each child. Results: Both intra- and interrater reliability of the teachers’ ratings were moderate to good. The holistic judgments on movement quality were significantly correlated with AST time, showing that higher ratings were associated with less time required to complete the track. Next, hierarchical stepwise regression indicated that in addition to the holistic rating, also age, but not gender, explained part of the variance in AST time. Conclusion: The findings show that the AST has good concurrent validity and provides a fast, indirect indication for quality of movement.