bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of the Maillard reaction and secondary shelf‐life prediction of infant formula during domestic use
Authors: Wang Sihui , Wang Mengqi , Wang Ying , Wu Zhengyan , Yang Jingjing , Li Hongjuan , Li Hongbo , Yu Jinghua
Published: December 2022

To control the Maillard reaction of infant formula (IF) during secondary shelf‐life (SSL) and establish an SSL prediction model, the effects of storage temperatures (25°C, 37°C) and relative humidity (RH) levels (32%, 57%, and 75%) on the Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were evaluated. Visible color changes were observed during storage in samples stored at 37°C and not at 25°C. The available lysine loss was the largest, up to 64.14% and 69.40% after 4 weeks of storage at 37°C and 57% RH. At the end of storage, the 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, 3‐deoxyglucuronide, fluorescence of advanced Maillard products and soluble Tryptophan (FAST) index, and Nε‐carboxymethyllysine (CML) of two commercial IFs increased by 0.48–3.32, 1.26–12.65, 0.01–4.87, and 0.30–1.05 times, respectively. During storage, the glyoxal content in two commercial IFs tended to increase and then decrease in the range of 0.21–3.43 mg/100 g. The SSL of IFs was predicted using the multivariate accelerated shelf‐life test and the Arrhenius model. At 25°C, the estimated SLL of two commercial IFs were 10–9 and 7–6 weeks at 57% and 75% RH, respectively. MRPs and ΔE* could be used as indicators for predicting the SLL of infant formula.

Practical Application

The results of the study suggested that the increase in storage temperature and humidity during the SSL can promote the MR of IF, which affects the sensory and safety of IF. Therefore, consumers need to focus on controlling storage conditions during the SSL to avoid degradation of IF quality.
Application of human data to predict hamstring tendon autograft diameter in Zhuang population
Authors: Huang Xiao‐Li , Zheng Hong‐Yu , Yang Hui‐Hui , Shi Ze‐Feng , Zhang Bing , Lan Bei , Wang Hong , Tan Ru‐Xin
Published: December 2022

Background

To explore the value of human data from the Zhuang population via predicting the diameter of the hamstring tendon autograft in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and determining the feasibility of preoperative ultrasound for prediction.

Methods

In total, 24 Zhuang patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a 4‐strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autograft (4 S‐STG) were enrolled in this study. Before the operation, the affected semitendinosus tendon (ST) was examined by ultrasonography, and its length, diameter, cross‐sectional area, and circumference were measured. The patients' basic information and body data, ie, height, weight, body mass index, lower limb length injured, and thigh circumference injured, were recorded. Their ST and gracilis tendon lengths and diameters and 4 S‐STG diameter were measured during the operation. A correlation analysis was conducted between the ultrasound measurement results and human data and intraoperative tendon measurements.

Results

The ST diameter measured by ultrasound was correlated with the ST length and ST diameter measured during operation, and the ST circumference measured by ultrasound was correlated with the ST diameter measured during operation. The patients' body weight can be used to distinguish a 4 S‐STG diameter of ≥8 mm (P < .01, mean difference = 11.59). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of body weight was 0.829. The final graft diameter ≥8 mm could be predicted with a body weight of 61.5 kg as the cutoff point; the sensitivity and specificity were 72.2% and 83.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

In Zhuang patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with 4 S‐STG, body weight more accurately predicted graft diameter than preoperative semitendinosus diameter.
A census of clinical trials conducted under theU.S.exception from informed consent rule
Authors: Snyder Krista L. , Merz Jon F.
Published: December 2022

Background

The exception from informed consent (EFIC) rule was adopted in 1996, permitting waiver of informed consent for certain emergency research, including trials funded by the U.S. government. The rule requires prospective consent from patients or their legally authorized representative(s) (LAR) if practicable. For those enrolled without consent, the patient or their LAR must be given an opportunity to opt out from continued participation at the earliest opportunity. We sought to census the trials conducted under the EFIC rule to facilitate research to better understand how the rule is being used.

Methods

We conducted a multipronged search to identify all trials conducted under the EFIC rule, drawing on reviews, database searches, examination of the FDA's docket, posting an inquiry on the institutional review board forum, and email requests to lead authors of all published EFIC trials and related review articles. We describe the trials, when they were started and completed, and whether they were terminated early.

Results

We identified a total of 110 trials as of the end of April 2022: 78 complete, 13 recruiting, seven registered onclinicaltrials.govbut not yet recruiting, five trials that were abandoned before enrolling any subjects, and seven trials in early planning. Nine of the 78 completed trials were pilot or feasibility trials. Of 69 completed full trials, 30 (43.5%) were terminated early. The most common reason for early termination was futility (15 trials, 25.0%) followed by poor recruitment (10 trials, 14.5%). The rate of conduct of trials has been remarkably constant since 2001, with roughly 18 trials started in each 5‐year period.

Conclusions

We have compiled a census of trials conducted under the U.S. FDA's EFIC rule, the availability of which we hope will stimulate further in‐depth data collection and analysis of this set of trials.
Leveraging VA geriatric emergency department accreditation to improve elder abuse detection in older Veterans using a standardized tool
Authors: Makaroun Lena K. , Halaszynski Jaime J. , Rosen Tony , Haggerty Kristin Lees , Blatnik Jennifer K. , Froberg Ruthann , Elman Alyssa , Geary Christine A. , Hagy Dyan M. , Rodriguez Crescencio , McQuown Colleen M.
Published: December 2022

Elder abuse (EA) is common and has devastating health impacts, yet most cases go undetected limiting opportunities to intervene. Older Veterans receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) represent a high‐risk population for EA. VHA emergency department (ED) visits provide a unique opportunity to identify EA, as assessment for acute injury or illness may be the only time isolated older Veterans leave their home, but most VHA EDs do not have standardized EA assessment protocols. To address this, we assembled an interdisciplinary team of VHA social workers, physicians, nurses, intermediate care technicians (ICTs; former military medics and corpsmen who often conduct screenings in VHA EDs) and both VHA and non‐VHA EA subject matter experts to adapt the Elder Mistreatment Screening and Response Tool (EM‐SART) to pilot in the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center geriatric ED (GED) program. The cornerstone of their approach is an interdisciplinary GED consultation led by ICTs and nurses who screen high‐risk older Veterans for geriatric syndromes and unmet needs. The adapted EM‐SART was integrated into the electronic health record and GED workflow in December 2020. By July 2022, a total of 251 Veterans were screened with nine (3.6%) positive on the prescreen and five (2%) positive on the comprehensive screen. Based on the first‐year pilot experience, the interdisciplinary team was expanded and convened regularly to further adapt the EM‐SART for wider use in VHA, including embedding flexibility for both licensed and nonlicensed clinicians to complete the screening tool and tailoring response options to be specific to VHA policy and resources. The national momentum for VHA EDs to improve care for older Veterans and secure GED accreditation offers unique opportunities to embed this evidence‐based approach to EA assessment in the largest integrated health system in the United States.
Beyond the dead zone: The meanings of loving violence in Highland Mexico
Authors: Whittaker Catherine
Published: December 2022

When violence clearly conveys a message and produces order, it simplifies meaning. Worded differently, it creates a “dead zone” (Graeber 2012). This article argues that intense, passionate love, like intense, physical violence, drastically diminishes meaning and enhances the potential for harm. In recent globalized feminist discourse, it is commonly claimed that love and violence are mutually exclusive, which rests on the assumption that violence is bad and love is good. Yet strictly separating love and violence (e.g., by purging sacrifice from one's understanding of love) intensifies the two and produces dead zones. By contrast, many inhabitants of Milpa Alta, a rural, partially Nahuatl‐speaking community south of Mexico City, contend that violence can only be understood in relation to love. They define both concepts in terms of their affective qualities and potential to transform marital and social life. Violence, like love, is neither inherently negative nor positive because sacrifice and punishment are often considered key ingredients for maintaining a productive love among spouses, siblings, and within the wider community. Leaving the boundary between love and violence conceptually and morally porous allows them to remain generative of meaning and retain their productive potential.
Introducing the fragility index—A case study using the Term Breech Trial
Authors: Ho Adrienne K. , Zamperoni Kristen E. , Ho Anthony M. H. , Mizubuti Glenio B.
Published: December 2022

The fragility index (FI) is a sensitivity analysis of the statistically significant result of a clinical study. It is the number of hypothetical changes in the primary event of one of the two cohorts in a 1‐to‐1 comparative trial to render the statistically significant result non‐significant (ie, to alter the P‐value from ≤0.05 to >0.05). The FI can be compared with the patient drop‐out rates and protocol violations, which, if much higher than the FI, may arguably suggest less robustness/stability of the trial's results. To illustrate the concept, we have chosen the Term Breech Trial (TBT) as a case study. The TBT results favor planned cesarean birth, as opposed to planned vaginal delivery, in the term singleton fetus with breech presentation. Our analysis shows that the FI of the TBT is 21, which is small in comparison to the number (hundreds) of protocol violations present. Some experts have suggested the inclusion of the FI in data analysis and subsequent discussion of clinical trial data. Routine use of such a metric may be valuable in encouraging readers to maintain a healthy degree of skepticism, especially when interpreting trial results which may directly influence clinical practice.
The impact of a guided paced breathing audiovisual intervention on anxiety symptoms in Palestinian children: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shank Lisa M. , Grace Victoria , Delgado Janna , Batchelor Paul , de Raadt St James Alexander , Sundaresan Avirath , Bouchedid Lara
Published: December 2022

Background

Children in Palestine may be at high risk for anxiety symptoms. However, access to mental health services is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to examine whether a guided audiovisual paced breathing intervention was feasible, acceptable, and improved anxiety symptoms in Palestinian children.

Methods

Students (6–10 years old) in an after‐school program in Palestine were randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. All participants completed a pre‐ and post‐intervention measure of anxiety using the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Participants in the intervention completed 24 sessions over 8 weeks and rated breathing ease as well as pre‐ and post‐session relaxation on a 5‐point Likert scale. To examine condition differences in post‐intervention anxiety, four analyses of covariance were conducted, adjusting for age, sex, and pre‐intervention anxiety.

Results

A total of 144 participants (65.3% girls; Mage = 7.5 ± 1.2; 50% per condition) enrolled in the study. There were no differences in demographics or baseline anxiety between the two conditions (ps > .05). Participants reported that it was easy to breathe during the sessions (Ms = 4.1–4.7, SDs = 0.5–1.1). For all but the first session, participants reported being more relaxed after the breathing session than before (ps < .003). Post‐intervention, participants in the intervention reported fewer anxiety symptoms compared to participants in the control condition (ps < .01).

Conclusion

A guided paced breathing audiovisual intervention was feasible and had a significant positive impact on anxiety symptoms in Palestinian children compared to a control condition. Future research should examine whether the audiovisual guided breathing intervention significantly improves long‐term outcomes.
The effect of education on dental service utilization patterns in different sectors: A multiple mediation analysis
Authors: Ghanbarzadegan Arash , Mittinty Murthy , Brennan David S. , Jamieson Lisa M.
Published: December 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate how education level affects dental service utilization patterns in the Australian adult population. This study tested how education level mediated these service patterns through behavioural mediators such as smoking, tooth brushing and oral health status and investigated these mediation effects in different dental service providers.

Method

Following the flexible mediation approach, the direct and indirect effects of education through behavioural mediators on dental service utilization patterns (time of last dental visit, reason for last dental visit and frequency of seeking dental care) were calculated for the South Australian population from the Dental Care and Oral Health Study.

Results

Participants with lower educational attainment were 33% (Odds Ratio: 0.67, 95% CI 0.56–0.78) and 38% (Odds Ratio: 0.62, 95% CI 0.53–0.74), less likely than their counterparts with higher education to visit a dentist or to receive dental care in the last 12 months, respectively. Low education was associated with a 23% increase in odds of receiving emergency and treatment services (Odds Ratio: 1.23, 95% CI 1.05–1.43) compared to routine dental check‐ups or examinations.

Conclusion

Low education, regardless of oral health behaviours and status, reduces the odds of dental service utilization in terms of frequency of seeking dental care and time of last dental visit. There is more tendency towards receiving emergency and treatment services compared to routine dental check‐ups or examinations in participants with lower educational attainment.
Familial transmission of chromoanagenesis leads to unpredictable unbalanced rearrangements through meiotic recombination
Authors: Masson Julie , Pebrel‐Richard Céline , Egloff Matthieu , Frétigny Mathilde , Beaumont Marion , Uguen Kevin , Rollat‐Farnier Pierre‐Antoine , Diguet Flavie , Perthus Isabelle , Le Gudayer Gwenaël , Haye Damien , Dupeyron Marie‐Noëlle Bonnet , Putoux Audrey , Raskin‐Champion Fabienne , Till Marianne , Chatron Nicolas , Doray Bérénice , Bardel Claire , Vinciguerra Christine , Sanlaville Damien , Schluth‐Bolard Caroline
Published: December 2022

Chromoanagenesis is a cellular mechanism that leads to complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCR) during a single catastrophic event. It may result in loss and/or gain of genetic material and may be responsible for various phenotypes. These rearrangements are usually sporadic. However, some familial cases have been reported. Here, we studied six families in whom an asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic parent transmitted a CCR to its offspring in an unbalanced manner. The rearrangements were characterized by karyotyping, fluorescent in situ hybridization, chromosomal microarray (CMA) and/or whole genome sequencing (WGS) in the carrier parents and offspring. We then hypothesized meiosis‐pairing figures between normal and abnormal parental chromosomes that may have led to the formation of new unbalanced rearrangements through meiotic recombination. Our work indicates that chromoanagenesis might be associated with a normal phenotype and normal fertility, even in males, and that WGS may be the only way to identify these events when there is no imbalance. Subsequently, the CCR can be transmitted to the next generation in an unbalanced and unpredictable manner following meiotic recombination. Thereby, prenatal diagnosis using CMA should be proposed to these families to detect any pathogenic imbalances in the offspring.
Esthetic and clinical outcomes after immediate placement and restoration: Comparison of two implant systems in the anterior maxilla—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Parvini Puria , Trimpou Georgia , Begic Amira , Cafferata Emilio A. , Petsos Hari , Müller Katharina Melissa , Schwarz Frank , Eickholz Peter , Obreja Karina
Published: December 2022

Aim

To assess the esthetic and clinical performance of a novel self‐tapping implant system for single‐tooth restorations in the esthetic zone after immediate placement and provisionalization.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 52 patients contributing a total of 52 immediately placed and restored implants with ≥12 months after functional loading, comparing two different implant systems: Straumann® BLX (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland; 25 patients) and Ankylos® (Dentsply Sirona, Hanau, Germany; 27 patients). As the primary outcome measure, peri‐implant tissue esthetics were assessed by means of pink esthetics score (PES) rated by three independent clinicians. Moreover, as secondary outcome measures, the peri‐implant tissue health was assessed by means of bleeding on probing, probing depth, and suppuration. Apart from that, the modified plaque index, keratinized mucosa width, and the presence of mucosal recessions were also assessed. When clinical signs suggested the possibility of peri‐implantitis, radiographs were indicated to assess progressive bone loss.

Results

The mean PES ratings were 12.10 ± 1.10 for Ankylos versus 11.2 ± 1.86 for BLX, both achieving good esthetic results without significant differences (p = 0.143). There were no differences among most clinical parameters (plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth, peri‐implant mucosal recession), although peri‐implant mucositis was present in one‐third of the cases. The inter‐rater agreement on esthetics was not significant (p < 0.250).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the present study, it was concluded that the use of either BLX or Ankylos implant systems was associated to comparable peri‐implant health and good pink esthetic outcomes during immediate implantation and restoration protocols, for at least 12 months.
An ImageJ‐based tool for three‐dimensional registration between different types of microscopic images
Authors: Koyama Hiroshi , Kishi Kanae , Mikoshiba Seiya , Fujimori Toshihiko
Published: December 2022

Three‐dimensional (3D) registration (i.e., alignment) between two microscopic images is very helpful to study tissues that do not adhere to substrates, such as mouse embryos and organoids, which are often 3D rotated during imaging. However, there is no 3D registration tool easily accessible for experimental biologists. Here we developed an ImageJ‐based tool which allows for 3D registration accompanied with both quantitative evaluation of the accuracy and reconstruction of 3D rotated images. In this tool, several landmarks are manually provided in two images to be aligned, and 3D rotation is computed so that the distances between the paired landmarks from the two images are minimized. By simultaneously providing multiple points (e.g., all nuclei in the regions of interest) other than the landmarks in the two images, the correspondence of each point between the two images, i.e., to which nucleus in one image a certain nucleus in another image corresponds, is quantitatively explored. Furthermore, 3D rotation is applied to one of the two images, resulting in reconstruction of 3D rotated images. We demonstrated that this tool successfully achieved 3D registration and reconstruction of images in mouse pre‐ and post‐implantation embryos, where one image was obtained during live imaging and another image was obtained from fixed embryos after live imaging. This approach provides a versatile tool applicable for various tissues and species.
De Ritis ratio and long‐term major cardiovascular adverse events in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Ndrepepa Gjin , Holdenrieder Stefan , Kastrati Adnan
Published: December 2022

Background

The association of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio (De Ritis ratio) with clinical outcomes in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association of De Ritis ratio with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with CCS.

Materials and Methods

The study included 5020 patients with CCS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were categorized into groups according to tertiles of the De Ritis ratio: tertile 1 (De Ritis ratio: <.75; n = 1688 patients), tertile 2 (De Ritis ratio: .75–1.08; n = 1666 patients) and tertile 3 (De Ritis ratio: >1.08; n = 1666 patients). The primary endpoint was 3‐year mortality.

Results

At 3 years, there were 384 deaths, 176 myocardial infarctions and 61 strokes. In groups with De Ritis in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tertiles, deaths occurred in 5.0%, 7.5% and 14.5% of the patients, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [1.06–1.12], p < .001); myocardial infarctions occurred in 2.6%, 3.5% and 5.1% of the patients, respectively (p < .001); strokes occurred in 1.0%, 1.2% and 1.9% of the patients, respectively (p = .030); bleeding at 30 days (n = 112) occurred in 1.4%, 1.6% and 3.7% of the patients, respectively (p < .001). The C‐statistic of the Cox proportional hazards model for all‐cause mortality with baseline data without the De Ritis ratio was .815 [.794–.836] and .818 [.797–.838] after the inclusion of the De Ritis ratio (delta C‐statistic = .003; p = .005).

Conclusions

In patients with CCS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, an elevated De Ritis ratio was associated with long‐term major adverse cardiovascular events.
RETRACTED: ELSTM: An improved long short‐term memory network language model for sequence learning
Authors: Li Zhi , Wang Qing , Wang Jia‐Qiang , Qu Han‐Bing , Dong Jichang , Dong Zhi
Published: December 2022

The gated structure of the long short‐term memory (LSTM) alleviates the defects of gradient disappearance and explosion in the recurrent neural network (RNN). It has received widespread attention in sequence learning such as text analysis. Although LSTM has good performance in handling remote dependencies, information loss often occurs in long‐distance transmission. We propose a new model called ELSTM based on the computational complexity and gradient dispersion in the traditional LSTM model. This model simplifies the input gate of LSTM, reduces some time complexity by reducing some components, and improves the output gate. By introducing the exponential linear unit activation layer, the problem of gradient dispersion is alleviated. Comparing the new model with multiple existing models, when predicting language sequences, the time used by the model has been greatly reduced, and the language confusion has been reduced, showing good performance.
New approaches for a reliable fatigue life prediction of powder metallurgy components using machine learning
Authors: Leininger Dominik Sebastian , Reissner Felix‐Christian , Baumgartner Jörg
Published: December 2022

Up to now, no consistent fatigue assessment approach of powder metallurgy (PM) components is available. For some materials and for some parameters, such as the density, a relationship to the fatigue strength is known; however, for other materials, such relationships are unknown. Based on an extensive data set with 828 test series, the present work addresses this problem by conceiving and applying five machine learning (ML)‐based approaches to increase the accuracy of the prediction of the fatigue life as well as to predict the scatter of unknown data as precisely as possible. With the elaborated procedure, on the one hand, a scatter range of can be achieved on completely unknown data. On the other hand, by using a newly defined loss function, the standard deviation of unknown data can be predicted very accurately. The findings provide the basis for further research on cost and efficiency optimized design of PM components through better estimation of fatigue life.
Macroeconomic fundamentals and cryptocurrency prices: A common trend approach
Authors: Jiang Xiaoquan , Rodríguez Iván M. , Zhang Qianying
Published: December 2022

Based on asset pricing theory, we posit and find that equity markets and cryptocurrency markets share a common fundamental. Our cointegration tests show that the most important asset pricing primitive, consumption, can serve as the common fundamental. We further show that additional macroeconomic factors, as well as uncertainty and sentiment, all play a role in explaining the deviation from fundamentals. To understand the linkage between equity markets, cryptocurrency markets, and the macroeconomy, we suggest the following three channels: (i) portfolio allocation decisions, (ii) intermarket order flows, and (iii) technological adaption expectations.
Early modern parliamentary studies: Overview and new perspectives
Authors: Kewes Paulina , Gunn Steven , Pietrzyk‐Reeves Dorota , Seaward Paul , Sowerby Tracey , van der Meulen Jim
Published: December 2022

In this essay, we call for a new approach to representative assemblies of early modern Europe and beyond. While there are vast national historiographies on their legal constitutional structure, little effort has been made to reconstruct the cultural and transnational dimension of such bodies, a phenomenon we describe as ‘parliamentary culture’. We argue that there is much to be gained from an investigation of the culture surrounding these bodies‐ how they influenced and shaped political behaviour and were shaped by it, and how they were embedded into the thought of their time and period‐ and from seeing them as part of a set of common European traditions of political negotiation and consent. We suggest an interdisciplinary and collaborative agenda for that investigation that might lead beyond Europe too, into some of its colonies, where Europeans also encountered other traditions of negotiated discussion and agreement.
Silencing of RhoC induces macrophage M1 polarization to inhibit migration and invasion in colon cancer via regulating the PTEN/FOXO1 pathway
Authors: Yang Bin , Wang Lihua , Tian Zhiying
Published: December 2022

Ras homologue family member C (RhoC) is an oncogene in diverse types of human cancers, whereas its regulatory mechanisms involving macrophage polarization is rarely investigated. This study is designed to explore the regulatory role of RhoC in colon cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms involving macrophage polarization. We detected RhoC expression by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blot, and analysed the biological function of RhoC knockdown in CC cells by the MTT, wound healing and transwell assay. Macrophage polarization‐associated markers, genes associated with migration, phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and forkhead box O (FOXO) were determined by qRT‐PCR and western blot. The xenograft tumour mouse model was used to assess the role of RhoC in vivo. RhoC is highly expressed in CC cells. The cell viability, invasion and migration abilities of CC cells were reduced by knockdown of RhoC. RhoC knockdown promoted M1 polarization, inhibited M2 polarization and decreased levels of genes associated with migration (matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9). Silencing of RhoC inhibited tumour growth and expression of genes associated with migration in the xenografted model. In addition, silencing of RhoC promoted PTEN/FOXO1 expression, and PTEN inhibitor (SF1670) reversed the inhibitory effects of RhoC silencing. We demonstrated that silencing of RhoC reduced CC cells invasion and migration, and tumour growth by suppressing M2 macrophage polarization via regulating the PTEN/FOXO1 pathway.
Synthesis of magnesium aluminate spinel—An overview
Authors: Baruah Biswajit , Bhattacharyya Sunipa , Sarkar Ritwik
Published: December 2022

Magnesium aluminate spinel (MAS) is a remarkable ceramic material known for its unique combination of beneficial properties. But due to volume expansion associated with spinel formation, and the high cost of production, MAS was not commercially successful till last century. However, environmental friendliness and superior properties have helped MAS to substitute magnesia‐chrome refractories and are commercially acceptable with time. From an industrial perspective, solid‐oxide reaction route or conventional oxide mixing route is the most popular method used for the synthesis of MAS. Although there have been myriad other common routes‐coprecipitation, sol–gel, auto‐ignition, molten technique, and so forth to produce spinel, solid‐oxide reaction route is still the principal route from the industrial point of view owing to its ease of bulk production and low cost of production for refractory applications. This report attempts to accumulate the information on different synthesis techniques used for the synthesis of MAS for easy and ready reckoning.
Uroflowmetry is a viable surrogate for urethroscopy in evaluation of anatomical success following urethroplasty
Authors: Yanagi Toeki , Kanematsu Akihiro , Shimatani Kimihiro , Yamamoto Shingo
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the utility of uroflowmetry in predicting anatomical success following urethroplasty based on real‐world clinical data.

Methods

Data from 100 male patients who underwent urethroplasty for urethral strictures at our institute were analyzed. Postoperative anatomical success was determined as the passage of a 16.2 Fr flexible endoscope after approximately 4 months following the procedure. Sensitivity and specificity of the maximal flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), and Qmax − Qave for anatomical success were determined, along with receiver operating characteristic analysis. The optimal cutoff was set using Youden's index.

Results

Anatomical success was observed in 67%. Voided volumes in the success and failure groups were equivalent: 252 ± 121 versus 242 ± 91 ml, respectively. In 18 cases, voided volumes were <150 ml. Parameters of uroflowmetry were all significantly higher in the anatomical success group when compared to those in the failure group: the mean value of Qmax was 26.1 versus 15.0 ml/s; Qave, 14.2 versus 9.1 ml/s; and Qmax − Qave, 11.9 versus 5.9 ml/s, respectively (p < 0.0001 for each parameter). The area under the curve was 0.8082 for Qmax, 0.7727 for Qave, and 0.8186 for Qmax − Qave. Optimal cutoff values for Qmax and Qmax − Qave were 20 and 6 ml/s, which predicted anatomical success with 86% and 87% positive predictive value, respectively.

Conclusion

This analysis presents statistically valid cutoffs by which uroflowmetry can be used as a viable surrogate of anatomical success following urethroplasty in clinical practice.
Barriers to tourism participation: A case of first‐generation local community service providers
Authors: Yaja Millo , Kumar Anuj , Swamy G. Anjaneya
Published: December 2022

Participation in tourism businesses for the local community often comes with various challenges. A better understanding of barriers to tourism development can help manage and smoothen community participation in tourism. Over the past two decades, an effort has been made to understand the barriers to tourism, but the perspective of first‐generation community participation is not explored in the existing literature. The current study measures barriers to tourism participation through four parameters, i.e., sociocultural, infrastructural, operational, and personal barriers. The study examined the barriers of first‐generation service providers from the rural tribal belt of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Data were collected using the purposive sampling technique from various tourism and allied services owned and managed by the local tribal community. The findings indicate that barriers related to the infrastructural support system are the dominant form of barriers. In contrast, the sociocultural factors do not act as a strong barrier among service providers. However, this report defers to other studies on tribal communities that indicate specific sociocultural barriers to participating in the tourism business. The study shows that willingness and conducive sociocultural aspects alone are not sufficient to lead a profitable tourism business. Furthermore, the study also recounts the importance of external intervention for macro‐level planning in tourism infrastructure.
Sub epidermal moisture measurement and targeted SSKIN bundle interventions, a winning combination for the treatment of early pressure ulcer development
Authors: Byrne Sorcha , Patton Declan , Avsar Pinar , Strapp Helen , Budri Aglecia , O'Connor Tom , Nugent Linda , Moore Zena
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to investigate the impact of sub epidermal moisture (SEM) measurement and targeted pressure ulcer (PU) prevention, versus visual skin assessment and usual care, on mean SEM delta scores and early pressure ulcer development in acute hospital patients. A quantitative quasi‐experimental observational approach was used. A total of 149 at risk acute hospital patients took part, 78 treatment, and 71 control. SEM deltas were recorded daily for a maximum of 5 days using the SEM Scanner (Bruin Biometrics LLC, Los Angeles, California), on three sites: the sacrum, the right heel, and the left heel, with enhanced and targeted PU prevention interventions occurring in those with an elevated SEM delta scores in the treatment group. Intention to treat analysis was used to guide the final composition of results. SEM PU represents PU development as identified by 2 days of sustained abnormal SEM delta scores, ≥0.5, after day one. The mean number of days completed by participants was just under 4 days, participants had many different comorbidities, with the most common being: hypertension, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Results showed that following the introduction of SEM guided targeted treatments, participants in the treatment group yielded a statistically significant reduction in mean SEM delta scores (MD: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.39; P < .0001), and in the odds of developing a SEM PU (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.00; P = .05). In the treatment group, none of the participants developed a visual PU, whereas, in the control group, 1.41% (n = 1/71) developed a visual PU. Based on all the results, the following is concluded, (1). There was a greater reduction in mean SEM delta scores among those cared for using SEM measurement and targeted PU prevention, versus those cared for using visual skin assessment and usual care, and (2). the mean SEM delta scores was statistically significantly lower at the study end for those who received targeted treatments based on abnormal SEM scores. More research is now needed in other and larger at‐risk groups to further validate what was found in this study.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Emotional Intelligence Test (EMI‐T) for social care and healthcare student selection
Authors: Pienimaa Anne , Talman Kirsi , Vierula Jonna , Laakkonen Eero , Haavisto Elina
Published: December 2022

Aim

To develop an emotional intelligence (EI) test and evaluate its psychometrics for social and healthcare student selection.

Design

A cross‐sectional methodological design.

Methods

The test was developed based on a systematic review and focus group interviews. Content validity was evaluated with expert panels, and preliminary psychometrics with two pilot studies. Descriptive statistics, correlations and item response theory were used.

Data Sources

Search was conducted in six databases 2018. Focus group interviews were conducted with educators and professionals in 2019. Expert panels with doctoral students, researchers and educators were conducted in 2020. Pilot tests with students were conducted 2020–2021. The developed test was administered to 4808 applicants 2021.

Results

The test included four subscales. Correlations support the test's theoretical structure. The items were mainly easy.

Conclusion

The test assesses EI objectively and comprehensively. The item‐level distractor analysis can be used for further test development.

Impacts

Social care and healthcare students engage in clinical practice early in their studies, and these environments can be emotionally challenging. Assessing EI in student selection with adequate test can help the institutions of higher education to select the students with required abilities to succeed in the studies. The assessment of EI during student selection also provides information higher education institutions could use to develop and provide support interventions. The results may also encourage practice placements to include EI elements as learning objective. The results of this study and especially the use of IRT and detailed distractor analysis to evaluate the psychometric properties of EMI‐T can benefit researchers and educators that develop or evaluate objective assessment tools with multiple choice questions.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care

Emotional intelligence is important for students to enable professional interaction.
Geographic and climatic constraints on bioregionalization of European ants
Authors: Wang Runxi , Kass Jamie M. , Galkowski Christophe , Garcia Federico , Hamer Matthew T. , Radchenko Alexander , Salata Sebastian D. , Schifani Enrico , Yusupov Zalimkhan M. , Economo Evan P. , Guénard Benoit
Published: December 2022

Aim

Biogeographical regionalization is scant for most insect groups due to shortfalls in distribution and phylogenetic information, namely the Wallacean and Darwinian shortfalls respectively. Here, we focused on the European ants and compared new techniques to classical analyses based on regional lists and taxonomic methods. We asked the following: (1) Can grid‐based regionalizations using novel distribution data improve biogeographical transitions? and (2) Can phylogenetic approaches reveal new insights regarding ant evolutionary history?

Location

Europe and Anatolia.

Taxon

Ants (Formicidae).

Methods

First, we developed a refined database integrating the occurrences of 747 ant species across 207 regions of Europe and Anatolia, based on newly expert‐validated records derived from the existing Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics database. Using range estimates for these species derived from polygons and species distribution modelling, we produced species assemblages in 50 × 50 km grid cells. We calculated taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover of ant assemblages, then performed a hierarchical clustering procedure to delineate biogeographical structure.

Results

At both the regional list and grid assemblage levels, the Mediterranean has higher turnover and more biogeographical regions than northern Europe, both taxonomically and phylogenetically. Delineations based on grid assemblages detected more detailed biogeographical transitions, while those based on regional lists showed stronger insularity in biogeographical structure. The phylogenetic regionalization suggested a very similar spatial structure but varied affinities between assemblages in comparison to the taxonomic approach.

Main Conclusions

Here, we integrated expert‐validated regional lists, species distribution modelling and a recent phylogeny to tackle Wallacean and Darwinian shortfalls for an important insect group by developing a next‐generation map of biogeographical regionalization for European ants. The results of this study suggest strong constraints from geographical barriers and potential effects of climatic history on ant distributions and evolutionary history, and also provide baseline spatial information for future investigations of regional insect distributions.
Lessons, narratives, and research directions for a sustainable circular economy
Authors: Leipold Sina , Petit‐Boix Anna , Luo Anran , Helander Hanna , Simoens Machteld , Ashton Weslynne S. , Babbitt Callie W. , Bala Alba , Bening Catharina R. , Birkved Morten , Blomsma Fenna , Boks Casper , Boldrin Alessio , Deutz Pauline , Domenech Teresa , Ferronato Navarro , Gallego‐Schmid Alejandro , Giurco Damien , Hobson Kersty , Husgafvel Roope , Isenhour Cynthia , Kriipsalu Mait , Masi Donato , Mendoza Joan Manuel F. , Milios Leonidas , Niero Monia , Pant Deepak , Parajuly Keshav , Pauliuk Stefan , Pieroni Marina P. P. , Richter Jessika Luth , Saidani Michael , Smol Marzena , Peiró Laura Talens , van Ewijk Stijn , Vermeulen Walter J. V. , Wiedenhofer Dominik , Xue Bing
Published: December 2022

The current enthusiasm for the circular economy (CE) offers a unique opportunity to advance the impact of research on sustainability transitions. Diverse interpretations of CE by scholars, however, produce partly opposing assessments of its potential benefits, which can hinder progress. Here, we synthesize policy‐relevant lessons and research directions for a sustainable CE and identify three narratives—optimist, reformist, and skeptical—that underpin the ambiguity in CE assessments. Based on 54 key CE scholars’ insights, we identify three research needs: the articulation and discussion of ontologically distinct CE narratives; bridging of technical, managerial, socio‐economic, environmental, and political CE perspectives; and critical assessment of opportunities and limits of CE science–policy interactions. Our findings offer practical guidance for scholars to engage reflexively with the rapid expansion of CE knowledge, identify and pursue high‐impact research directions, and communicate more effectively with practitioners and policymakers.
Compulsory technology adoption and adaptation in education: A looming student privacy problem
Authors: Walker Kristen L. , Bodendorf Kiya , Kiesler Tina , de Mattos Georgie , Rostom Mark , Elkordy Amr
Published: December 2022

Educational settings worldwide have a significant impact on the early use of digital devices and online media by children. Therefore, schools' educational technology (EdTech) adoption decisions may lead to long‐term repercussions for students and society. The authors explore how schools make technology decisions on behalf of their students, focusing on the ways that privacy and data security are considered in technology adoption decisions and use. Adaptation‐level theory helps to illustrate the growing dependence on technology in compulsory educational settings, the convenience of adopting digital tools, and the risks to children that result as they use andadaptto technology. Analysis of in‐depth interviews and text analysis of public state reports indicate that confusion between information technology and EdTech consequentially leads to a “privacy‐security chasm.” Findings highlight privacy‐security challenges in K‐12 school districts and the growing need to understand student privacy protection as part of children's digital well‐being.
Enhanced intradermal delivery of Dragon's blood in biocompatible nanosuspensions hydrogel patch for skin photoprotective effect
Authors: Wang Shasha , Shi Yuxin , Ma Jiapeng , Ye Zhuofei , Yao Miaomiao , Shang Jing , Liu Jianping
Published: December 2022

Dragon's Blood is a member of the Chinese medicinal herb, having anti‐oxygen and anti‐inflammatory activity for the photoprotective effect. However, the poor water solubility of raw Dragon's Blood powder has limited its intradermal delivery process. In this study, we evaluated nanosuspensions to enhance intradermal delivery of Dragon's Blood exerting a photoprotective effect. The prepared nanosuspension was added to a composite hydrogel patch matrix for better skin application. In the present research, we used biocompatible materials hyaluronic acid and amino acid surfactants as nanosuspension stabilizers and agar/gelatin/sodium polyacrylate as hydrogel patch matrix. The prepared Dragon's Blood nanosuspension had a particle size of 447.0 ± 48.6 nm. The micro‐structures morphology and viscoelasticity characteristics by SEM and rheological testing confirmed a sufficient crosslinked hydrogel network. The skin retention amount of Dragon's Blood nanosuspension was 1.48 times of raw Dragon's Blood powder water suspension, and the skin penetration amount of Dragon's Blood nanosuspension was only about 1/3 of Dragon's Blood DMSO solution. In the UVB‐irradiated HaCaT cell phototoxicity model, Dragon's Blood nanosuspension also significantly increased cell viability by about 1 time of the model group and decreased the production of reactive oxygen species about 1/2 times of model group. In vivo safety and efficiency evaluation experiment illustrated that DB‐NS hydrogel patch processes have favorable safety and photoprotective effect with no skin irritancy and phototoxicity. Furthermore, DB‐NS and DB‐NS hydrogel patches could protect skin from UVA and UVB irritating skin reactions. Overall, our study of the combined use of biocompatible and biodegradable materials as excipients of nanosuspension and hydrogel patch could be used as an effective additive of Intradermal delivery and skin photoprotection.
Platelet‐rich plasma protects human keratinocytes from UVB‐induced apoptosis by attenuating inflammatory responses and endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Duan Guang‐Hua , Ren Zhao‐Qi , Du Bin , Shao Wen , Dong Hai‐Jiao , Du Ai‐Cui
Published: December 2022

Background

Although the role of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in ultraviolet light B (UVB)‐induced photoaging has been confirmed in many studies, the specific mechanism is still not clear. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the effect and mechanism of PRP on UVB‐induced human keratinocyte (HaCaT cells) apoptosis.

Methods

HaCaT cells were collected to construct UVB‐induced photoaging models. Then, the cells were divided into Sham group, 5% PRP group, UVB group, and UVB + 5% PRP group. Next, MTT assay was used to detect the level of cell proliferation; flow cytometry to check the level of apoptosis; ELISA to determine the TNF‐α, IL‐18, IL‐6, and IL‐1β levels in the supernatant; and Western blot to test Bax, Bcl‐2, cytochrome c (Cyt.c), GRP78, CHOP, and ATF4 protein expression levels.

Results

Briefly, 5% PRP intervention could relieve the inhibition of UVB on HaCaT cell proliferation, inhibit the promotion of UVB to cell apoptosis, up‐regulate UVB‐induced Bcl‐2 protein expression, and decrease Bax and Cyt.c protein level. In addition, 5% PRP significantly down‐regulated the inflammatory factor levels of TNF‐α, IL‐18, IL‐6, and IL‐1βin UVB‐induced cells and reduced the inflammatory response. Moreover, 5% PRP also greatly reduced the protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, and ATF4 in UVB‐induced cells and alleviated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

Conclusion

PRP may protect HaCaT cells from UVB‐induced apoptosis by alleviating inflammatory response and ER stress.