bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trauma, time and information
Authors: Day Ronald E.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In this article the author would like to discuss information and the causal-temporal models as discussed in trauma theory and reports from trauma therapy. The article discusses two modes of temporality and the role of narrative explanations in informing the subject as to their past and present.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis.

Findings

Information in trauma has different meanings, partly as a result of different senses of temporality that make up explanations of trauma in trauma theory. One important meaning is that of explanation itself as a cause or a therapeutic cure for trauma.

Research limitations/implications

The research proposes that trauma and trauma theory need to be understood in terms of the role of explanation, with explanation being understood as persuasion. This follows the historical genealogy of trauma theory from its origins in hypnosis and psychoanalysis.

Originality/value

The article examines the possibility of unconscious information and its effects in forming psychological subjectivity.
The relationship between knowledge-based economy and fraudulent financial reporting
Authors: Koolivand Abbas , Salehi Mahdi , Arabzadeh Meysam , Ghodrati Hassan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the relationship between a knowledge-based economy and fraudulent financial reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is descriptive-correlation based on published information from enlisted firms on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2013–2019 with a sample of 178 firms (1,246 observations). The method used for hypothesis testing is linear regression using the panel data.

Findings

The results show that a knowledge-based economy is associated negatively and significantly with financial reporting. Moreover, robust testing has also examined the hypotheses (including fixed effects, OLS and t + 1) that confirmed the study’s preliminary results.

Originality/value

As the study was carried out in the emergent financial markets, like Iran, to figure out the relationship between knowledge-based economy and financial reporting, it can provide helpful information for the practitioners in this field.
Strengthening AML/CFT controls of digital payment token service providers in Singapore
Authors: Chua Tju Liang
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To raise awareness of money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) controls and regulations in Singapore for digital payment token (DPT) service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

This article summarizes the key points in the guidance infographic published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on strengthening the AML/CFT controls of DPT service providers (Infographic). In line with the Infographic, these points pertain to: (1) recent developments in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Standards; (2) ML/TF risks in the DPT sector; and (3) an overview of MAS’ measures to address such risks, which include (i) licensing and supervision; (ii) AML/CFT notice and guidelines; and (iii) surveillance.

Findings

To combat illicit activities in Singapore’s DPT sector, the MAS has introduced AML/CFT measures that are aligned with the FATF Standards. DPT service providers should be cognizant of these regulations in developing their own internal measures.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced lawyers in the Technology Transactions and Financial Services Regulatory & Enforcement practices.
Healthcare under pressure: modelling COVID-19 fatalities with multiscale geographically weighted regressions
Authors: Goschin Zizi , Dimian Gina Cristina
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to disentangle the factors behind territorial disparities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case fatality ratio, focusing on the pressure put by the pandemic on healthcare services and adopting a spatial perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models have been used for uncovering the spatial variability in the impact of healthcare services on COVID-19 case fatality ratio, allowing authors to better capture the real spatial patterns at local level. The authors proved that this approach yields better results, and the MGWR model outperforms traditional regression methods. The selected case studies are two of the biggest UE countries, among the first affected by a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, namely Italy and Germany.

Findings

The authors found sizeable regional differences in COVID-19 mortality rates within each of the analysed countries, and the stress borne by local healthcare systems seems to be the most powerful factor in explaining them. In line with other studies, the authors found additional factors of influence, such as age distribution, gender ratio, population density and regional development.

Originality/value

This research clearly indicated that COVID-19 related deaths are strongly associated with the degree of resilience of the local healthcare systems. The authors supply localized results on the factors of influence, useful for assisting the decision-makers in prioritizing limited healthcare resources. The authors provide a scientific argument in favour of the decentralization of the pandemic management towards local authorities not neglecting, however, the necessary regional or national coordination.
Performance analysis of PCM curtain for thermal comfort
Authors: Srivastava Shubham , Srivastava Abhishek , Jain Sanya , Kumar Nandan , Malvi Chandra Shekhar
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the variations of thermal comfort inside a building space by using different curtains.

Design/methodology/approach

Phase change materials (PCMs) such as wax, sand and mixture of sand and wax were used with cotton curtain to compare the results of PCM curtains with the performance of normal cotton curtain against constant heat exposure. Heat exposure was provided with halogen to simulate the solar radiation. Further simulation was performed on ANSYS and experimental results were compared with the simulation results. In addition to this, the results were analysed for optimized performance by calculation root mean square error.

Findings

It was found that PCM used curtains that have better performance than normal curtain. Furthermore, sand curtain was proved as the best curtain and mixture of sand and wax curtain could replace the sand curtain where there is limitation of weight; also, there was less error between experimental and simulation was reported for sand curtain as compare to other curtains.

Research limitations/implications

Layers of different PCMs were used before cotton curtain and in modelling assumptions such as one-dimensional heat transfer, uniform thermal conductivity.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no such study that was performed earlier.
Ero1‐Pdi1 module‐catalysed dimerization of a nucleotide sugar transporter, FonNst2, regulates virulence of Fusarium oxysporum on watermelon
Authors: Gao Yizhou , Xiong Xiaohui , Wang Hui , Wang Jiajing , Bi Yan , Yan Yuqing , Cao Zhongye , Li Dayong , Song Fengming
Published: September 2021

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) is a soil‐borne fungus causing vascular Fusarium wilt on watermelon; however, the molecular network regulating Fon virulence remains to be elucidated. Here, we report the function and mechanism of nucleotide sugar transporters (Nsts) in Fon. Fon genome harbours nine FonNst genes with distinct functions in vegetative growth, asexual production, cell wall stress response and virulence. FonNst2 and FonNst3 are required for full virulence of Fon on watermelon and FonNst2 is mainly involved in fungal colonization of the plant tissues. FonNst2 and FonNst3 form homo‐ or hetero‐dimers but function independently in Fon virulence. FonNst2, which has UDP‐galactose transporter activity in yeast, interacts with FonEro1 and FonPdi1, both of which are required for full virulence of Fon. FonNst2, FonPdi1 and FonEro1 target to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are essential for ER homeostasis and function. FonEro1‐FonPdi1 module catalyses the dimerization of FonNst2, which is critical for Fon virulence. Undimerized FonNst2 is unstable and degraded via ER‐associated protein degradation in vivo. These data demonstrate that FonEro1‐FonPdi1 module‐catalysed dimerization of FonNst2 is critical for Fon virulence on watermelon and provide new insights into the regulation of virulence in plant fungal pathogens via disulfide bond formation of key pathogenicity factors.
Weak correlations in health services research: Weak relationships or common error?
Authors: O'Malley Alistair James , Landon Bruce E. , Zaborski Lawrence A. , Roberts Eric T. , Khidir Hazar H. , Smulowitz Peter B. , McWilliams John Michael
Published: September 2021

Objective

To examine whether the correlation between a provider's effect on one population of patients and the same provider's effect on another population is underestimated if the effects for each population are estimated separately as opposed to being jointly modeled as random effects, and to characterize how the impact of the estimation procedure varies with sample size.

Data sources

Medicare claims and enrollment data on emergency department (ED) visits, including patient characteristics, the patient's hospitalization status, and identification of the doctor responsible for the decision to hospitalize the patient.

Study design

We used a three‐pronged investigation consisting of analytical derivation, simulation experiments, and analysis of administrative data to demonstrate the fallibility of stratified estimation. Under each investigation method, results are compared between the joint modeling approach to those based on stratified analyses.

Data collection/extraction methods

We used data on ED visits from administrative claims from traditional (fee‐for‐service) Medicare from January 2012 through September 2015.

Principal findings

The simulation analysis demonstrates that the joint modeling approach is generally close to unbiased, whereas the stratified approach can be severely biased in small samples, a consequence of joint modeling benefitting from bivariate shrinkage and the stratified approach being compromised by measurement error. In the administrative data analyses, the estimated correlation of doctor admission tendencies between female and male patients was estimated to be 0.98 under the joint model but only 0.38 using stratified estimation. The analogous correlations for White and non‐White patients are 0.99 and 0.28 and for Medicaid dual‐eligible and non‐dual‐eligible patients are 0.99 and 0.31, respectively. These results are consistent with the analytical derivations.

Conclusions

Joint modeling targets the parameter of primary interest. In the case of population correlations, it yields estimates that are substantially less biased and higher in magnitude than naive estimators that post‐process the estimates obtained from stratified models.
Mass grave localization prediction with geographical information systems in Guatemala and future impacts
Authors: Santillán Perla , Edwards Scott , Swall Jenise , Simmons Tal
Published: September 2021

Conducting physical searches for mass grave locations based on anecdotal evidence is a time‐consuming and resource‐intensive endeavor in circumstances that often pose a threat to personal safety. The development of tools and procedures to speed such searches can greatly reduce the risk involved, increase the number of individuals whose remains are recovered and identified, and more importantly, reunite these remains with their loved ones to provide them with a proper burial. Geographic information systems (GIS) software, which can analyze and manipulate the spatial characteristics of known mass grave data, represents a powerful tool that can be used to predict new mass grave locations and increase the speed and efficiency with which they are investigated. Using the open source QGIS project, existing mass grave locations in Guatemala were analyzed based on their distance from and change in elevation relative to roads, streets, waterways, points of interest, and possible villages/towns. Statistical and geostatistical analyses performed to detect relationships among the variables resulted in patterns that warrant further study and can be used to further narrow areas of investigation.
Induced abortion in Papua‐New Guinea: Experience and opinions of health professionals
Authors: Kopunye Francisca , Mola Glen , Woods Cindy , de Costa Caroline
Published: September 2021

Background

Papua‐New Guinea (PNG) has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world; complications due to unsafe abortion are an important cause. Abortion laws are restrictive, and safe, induced abortions are unavailable to the majority of women, while unsafe abortions are known to be practised throughout the country. The topic of abortion is stigmatised, for women and health professionals.

Aim

To conduct a study of PNG health professionals’ experience of induced abortion and their views on the provision of safe, accessible abortion services for PNG women.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire developed from similar surveys conducted in Australia and New Zealand was distributed in 2017 to doctors working in provincial hospitals of the public health system; in 2020, the questionnaire was distributed to doctors and nursing staff in Port Moresby General Hospital, and to medical, nursing and health sciences students in the University of Papua‐New Guinea.

Results

Significant numbers of senior medical officers and nurses reported experience of women presenting following unsafe induced abortion. There was wide variation across all respondents with regard to accurate knowledge of PNG’s abortion laws, and to views on the provision of safe accessible abortion services in the country’s public health system.

Conclusions

Abortion training for service providers and provision of primary care services are necessary to ensure that PNG women have equitable access to abortion care instead of seeking out untrained providers or attempting self‐abortion. Innovative approaches also need to be adopted to complement family planning efforts in PNG.
Mental health and well‐being impacts of COVID‐19 on rural paramedics, police, community nurses and child protection workers
Authors: Roberts Russell , Wong Alfred , Jenkins Stacey , Neher Alain , Sutton Clare , O’Meara Peter , Frost Mark , Bamberry Larissa , Dwivedi Abhishek
Published: September 2021

Objective

To investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on the mental health and well‐being of rural paramedics, police, community nursing and child protection staff.

Method

An online survey was distributed to investigate the sources of stress and support across individual, task and organisational domains.

Setting and Participants

The survey was completed by 1542 paramedics, police, community nurses and child protection workers from all states and territories of Australia. This study describes the data for the 632 rural participants.

Main outcome measures

The main measures of well‐being were the Public Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD7), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), workplace engagement, intention to quit and COVID‐19–related stress.

Results

The mean depression and anxiety scores were 8.2 (PHQ9) and 6.8 (GAD7). This is 2–3 times that found in the general community. Over half (56.1%) of respondents showed high emotional exhaustion (burnout). The emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment mean scores were 28.5, 9.3 and 34.2, respectively. The strongest associations with burnout and psychological distress were workload, provision of practical support, training and organisational communication. A significant proportion of respondents were seriously considering quitting (27.4%) or looking for a new job with a different employer (28.5%) in the next 12 months.

Conclusions

COVID‐19 has increased the workload and stress on rural front‐line community staff. The major sources of stress were related to organisations’ responses to COVID‐19 and not COVID‐19 per se. The data suggest the most effective mental health interventions are practical and preventive, such as firstly ensuring fair and reasonable workloads.
Hidden taxonomic characters in otoliths of blenniid fishes (Teleostei: Blenniidae) from the Iranian coasts of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea ecoregions: A scanning electron microscopy approach
Authors: Mehraban Hamidreza , Esmaeili Hamid Reza , Gholamhosseini Ali , Seifali Mahvash
Published: September 2021

In the present work, the morphological characteristics of sagitta were described and analysed for 10 species of combtooth blennies (Blenniidae) inhabiting the intertidal region of the Persian Gulf and Makran zone of Oman Sea to see the taxonomic usefulness of otoliths, especially their hidden characters for species identification. Based on the obtained results, sagitta morphology could be considered as diagnostic characters distinguishing the genera Alticus, Antennablennius, Istiblennius, Omobranchus and Parablennius showing differences related to general shape, that is, elliptic/oval to triangular; shape of antirostrum and its degree of development; the degrees of convexity of ventral and dorsal margins, and shape of ostium. The common/general otolith characters shared in the all studied combtooth blennies, is the heterosulcoid condition, which is a shared character with Perciformes and Gobiiformes. The type of sulcus is ostial, and it can be considered as a plesiomorph character shared with a basal group of actinopterygian fishes. The obtained results could be useful in taxonomical, paleontological, ecological and food and feeding habits studies.
The effects of augmented reality‐supported instruction in tertiary‐level medical education
Authors: Christopoulos Athanasios , Pellas Nikolaos , Kurczaba Justyna , Macredie Robert
Published: September 2021

A significant body of the literature has documented the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) in education, but little is known about the effects of AR‐supported instruction in tertiary‐level Medical Education (ME). This quasi‐experimental study compares a traditional instructional approach with supplementary online lecture materials using digital handout notes with a control group (n = 30) and an educational AR application with an experimental group (n = 30) to investigate any possible added‐value and gauge the impact of each approach on students' academic performance and training satisfaction. This study's findings indicate considerable differences in both academic performance and training satisfaction between the two groups. The participants in the experimental group performed significantly better than their counterparts, an outcome which is also reflected in their level of training satisfaction through interacting and viewing 3D multimedia content. This study contributes by providing guidelines on how an AR‐supported intervention can be integrated into ME and provides empirical evidence on the benefits that such an approach can have on students' academic performance and knowledge acquisition.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Several studies have applied various Augmented Reality (AR) applications across different learning disciplines.

The effects of AR on students' perceptions and achievements in higher education contexts is well‐documented.

Despite the increasing use of AR‐instruction in Medical Education (ME), there has been no explicit focus on AR's effects on students' academic performance and satisfaction.

What this paper adds

This quasi‐experimental study compares the academic performance and training satisfaction of students in an experimental group (AR) and a control group (handout notes).

This study provides instructional insights into, and recommendations that may help students achieve better academic performance in AR‐supported ME courses.

The experimental group reported greater training satisfaction than their counterparts.

Implications for practice and policy

Students who followed the AR‐supported instruction achieved better academic performance that those in the control group.

AR‐supported interventions encourage active learning and lead to significant performance improvement.

The experimental group outperformed the control group in academic performance and training satisfaction measurements, despite the lower experimental group's lower pre‐test performance scores.
Violence against Women in Politics: Female Politicians' Experience with Political Violence in Jamaica
Authors: Johnson‐Myers Tracy‐Ann
Published: September 2021

This exploratory study describes the experiences of female politicians with political violence in Jamaica and the effect these encounters have had on them. The findings indicate that female politicians in Jamaica are affected by political violence before, during, and after an election, and even when they are in political office. Most of the violence experienced is of a gendered nature and can be defined as violence against women in politics. This study contributes to the growing body of scholarship on violence against women in politics by presenting and discussing findings from the Anglo Caribbean, an understudied region.
Synthetic molecules targeting yes associated protein activity as chemotherapeutics against cancer
Authors: Iftikhar Ramsha , Zahoor Ameer Fawad , Irfan Muhammad , Rasul Azhar , Rao Faiza
Published: September 2021

The Hippo signaling pathway extorts several signals that concomitantly target the activity of transcriptional cofactor yes associated protein (YAP). YAP is a key regulator that elicits signature gene expression by coupling with transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) family of transcriptional factors. The YAP‐TEAD complex via target gene expression gets associated with the development, proliferation, and progression of cancerous cells. Moreover, YAP adorns cells with several oncogenic traits such as inhibition of apoptosis, enhanced proliferation, drug resistance, and immune response suppression, which later became associated with various diseases, particularly cancer. Therefore, inhibition of the YAP activity is an appealing and viable therapeutic target for cancer treatment. This review highlights the recent advances in existing and novel synthetic therapeutics targeting YAP inhibition and regulation. The synthetically produced YAPD93A belonging to cyclic peptides and DC‐TEADin02 and vinyl sulfonamide class of compounds are the most potent compounds to inhibit the YAP‐TEAD expression by targeting protein‐protein interaction (IC50 = 25 nM) and palmitate binding central pocket of TEAD (IC50 = 197 nM), respectively. On the other hand, Chlorpromazine belonging to phenothiazines class has the least potential to suppress YAP via proteasomal degradation (cell viability value of <20% at 40 µM).
Diagnosis experiences of adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome: Cross‐sectional study
Authors: Peña Alexia S. , Teede Helena , Hewawasam Erandi , Hull Mary Louise , Gibson‐Helm Melanie
Published: September 2021

Objective

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) report delayed diagnosis of the condition and receiving inadequate information at diagnosis. No studies have investigated the diagnosis experiences of adolescents with PCOS. Our objective was to investigate the adolescents' experiences of PCOS diagnosis and their concerns about the condition.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Patient(s)

Eighty‐six adolescents (aged 13–19 years) were diagnosed with PCOS by a medical practitioner. Adolescents were recruited consecutively from paediatric and women's outpatient hospital clinics in South Australia and online PCOS support organisations in Australia and the United Kingdom (May 2017–June 2019).

Measurements

PCOS diagnosis experience and information received at the time of diagnosis were evaluated using a validated questionnaire.

Results

The majority of the adolescents (n = 67, 78%) were diagnosed with PCOS in less than 1 year from their first doctor's visit but 11 (13%) were diagnosed more than 2 years from that visit. Fifty‐three adolescents (66%) saw 1–2 health professionals before the diagnosis was made. Forty‐nine adolescents (57%) were satisfied with the overall diagnosis experience but adolescents were either dissatisfied or reported that the information was not mentioned after diagnosis in relation to lifestyle management (n = 47, 55%), long‐term complications (n = 53, 62%) and emotional support and counselling (n = 65, 76%).

Conclusions

The majority of adolescent girls with PCOS are receiving a timely diagnosis, but delayed diagnosis still occurs in a minority of adolescents. Current information provided at diagnosis is not meeting the needs of adolescents and is a lost opportunity for preventive healthcare at a critical transition to adult care period.
Pharmacogenomics of celiprolol – evidence for a role of P‐glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 in celiprolol pharmacokinetics
Authors: Hirvensalo Päivi , Tornio Aleksi , Tapaninen Tuija , Paile‐Hyvärinen Maria , Neuvonen Mikko , Backman Janne T. , Niemi Mikko
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to search for associations of genetic variants with celiprolol pharmacokinetics in a large set of pharmacokinetic genes, and, more specifically, in a set of previously identified candidate genes ABCB1, SLCO1A2, and SLCO2B1. To this end, we determined celiprolol single‐dose (200 mg) pharmacokinetics and sequenced 379 pharmacokinetic genes in 195 healthy volunteers. Analysis with 46,064 common sequence variants in the 379 genes did not identify any novel genes associated with celiprolol exposure. The candidate gene analysis showed that the ABCB1 c.3435T>C and c.2677T/G>A, and the SLCO1A2 c.516A>C variants were associated with reduced celiprolol area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC0–∞). An alternative analysis with ABCB1 haplotypes showed that, in addition to SLCO1A2 c.516A>C, three ABCB1 haplotypes were associated with reduced celiprolol AUC0–∞. A genotype scoring system was developed based on these variants and applied to stratify the participants to low and high celiprolol exposure genotype groups. The mean AUC0–∞ of celiprolol in the low exposure genotype group was 55% of the mean AUC0–∞ in the high exposure group (p = 1.08 × 10−11). In addition, the results showed gene‐gene interactions in the effects of SLCO1A2 and ABCB1 variants on celiprolol AUC0–∞ (p < 5 × 10−6) suggesting an interplay between organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 and P‐glycoprotein in celiprolol absorption. Taken together, these data indicate that P‐glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 play a role in celiprolol pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, patients with ABCB1 and SLCO1A2 genotypes associated with low celiprolol exposure may have an increased risk of poor blood‐pressure lowering response to celiprolol.
What can post‐stroke central pain teach us about chronic pain in adolescents with cerebral palsy?
Authors: Huang Andrew Chih Wei
Published: September 2021

This commentary is on the original article by Mujezinović Larsen et al. on pages 357–363 of this issue.
Goal programming and multiple criteria data envelopment analysis combined with optimization and Monte Carlo simulation: An application in railway components
Authors: da Silva Aneirson Francisco , Silva Marins Fernando Augusto , Dias Erica Ximenes , de Carvalho Miranda Rafael
Published: September 2021

This work has been developed in a large steel industry in Brazil, which produces railway and industrial components, and whose aim was to reduce casting defects. Usually, in industrial processes, identifying the causes of defects and their control are relatively complex activities, due to the many variables involved. In this context, the production processes of seven products, involving 38 process variables (inputs and outputs), have been evaluated adopting a new and innovative procedure. Initially, using a Weighted Goal Programming ‐ Multiple Criteria Data Envelopment Analysis (WGP‐MCDEA) model, we identified the most relevant input and output variables, and the studied company validated the results. Next, using the multiple regression technique, empirical functions were constructed for two response variables chosen by the company – number of external cracks and number of internal cracks. Then, to model the real processes adequately, we introduced the occurrence of uncertainty on the coefficients of these functions, considering them as random variables, according to triangular probability functions. Finally, applying the optimizer Optquest, optimization via Monte Carlo simulation (OvMCS) was performed, and with the Ordinary Least Square technique, we obtained the best fit for the two response variables. Specialists from the company validated the proposed procedure. They found that the values of input and output variables obtained by OvMSC, as well as the values of the response variables, belonged to the database available in the ERP system of the company. These results showed that the procedure proposed herein provided feasible and useful solutions to improve the industrial processes under study.
The impact of Patient and Public Involvement in the SlowMo study: Reflections on peer innovation
Authors: Greenwood Kathryn , Robertson Sam , Vogel Evelin , Vella Claire , Ward Thomas , McGourty Alison , Sacadura Cat , Hardy Amy , Rus‐Calafell Mar , Collett Nicola , Emsley Richard , Freeman Daniel , Fowler David , Kuipers Elizabeth , Bebbington Paul , Dunn Graham , Garety Philippa ,   the SlowMo Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team
Published: September 2021

Background

The SlowMo study demonstrated the effects of SlowMo, an eight‐session digitally supported reasoning intervention, on paranoia in a large‐scale randomized‐controlled trial with 362 participants with schizophrenia‐spectrum psychosis.

Aim

The current evaluation aimed to investigate the impact of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in the SlowMo study.

Method

PPI members were six women and three men from Sussex, Oxford and London with experience of using mental health services for psychosis. They received training and met at least 3‐monthly throughout the project. The impact of PPI was captured quantitatively and qualitatively through (i) a PPI log of recommendations and implementation; (ii) written subjective experiences of PPI members; (iii) meeting minutes; and (iv) outputs produced.

Results

The PPI log revealed 107 recommendations arising from PPI meetings, of which 87 (81%) were implemented. Implementation was greater for recruitment‐, data collection‐ and organization‐related actions than for dissemination and emergent innovations. Qualitative feedback revealed impacts on study recruitment, data collection, PPI participants' confidence, knowledge, career aspirations and society more widely. Outputs produced included a film about psychosis that aired on BBC primetime television, novel webpages and journal articles. Barriers to PPI impact included geography, travel, funding, co‐ordination and well‐being.

Discussion

A future challenge for PPI impact will be the extent to which peer innovation (innovative PPI‐led ideas) can be supported within research study delivery.

Patient and Public Contribution

Planned Patient and Public Contribution in SlowMo comprised consultation and collaboration in (i) design, (ii) recruitment, (iii) qualitative interviews and analysis of service users' experiences of SlowMo therapy and (iv) dissemination.
Healthcare needs, experiences and treatment burden in primary care patients with multimorbidity: An evaluation of process of care from patients' perspectives
Authors: Hu Xiu‐Jing , Wang Harry H. X. , Li Yu‐Ting , Wu Xiao‐Ya , Wang Yi , Chen Jia‐Heng , Wang Jia‐Ji , Wong Samuel Y. S. , Mercer Stewart W.
Published: September 2021

Background

Patients with multimorbidity often experience treatment burden as a result of fragmented, specialist‐driven healthcare. The ‘family doctor team' is an emerging service model in China to address the increasing need for high‐quality routine primary care.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the extent to which treatment burden was associated with healthcare needs and patients' experiences.

Methods

Multisite surveys were conducted in primary care facilities in Guangdong province, southern China. Interviewer‐administered questionnaires were used to collect data from patients (N = 2160) who had ≥2 clinically diagnosed long‐term conditions (multimorbidity) and had ≥1 clinical encounter in the past 12 months since enrolment registration with the family doctor team. Patients' experiences and treatment burden were measured using a previously validated Chinese version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) and the Treatment Burden Questionnaire, respectively.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 61.4 years, and slightly over half were females. Patients who had a family doctor team as the primary source of care reported significantly higher PCAT scores (mean difference 7.2 points, p < .001) and lower treatment burden scores (mean difference −6.4 points, p < .001) when compared to those who often bypassed primary care. Greater healthcare needs were significantly correlated with increased treatment burden (β‐coefficient 1.965, p < .001), whilst better patients' experiences were associated with lower treatment burden (β‐coefficient −0.252, p < .001) after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion

The inverse association between patients' experiences and treatment burden supports the importance of primary care in managing patients with multimorbidity.

Patient Contribution

Primary care service users were involved in the instrument development and data collection.
Human three‐dimensional dental pulp organoid model for toxicity screening of dental materials on dental pulp cells and tissue
Authors: Xu Xiaoqi , Li Zheng , Ai Xiaoqing , Tang Yin , Yang Deqin , Dou Lei
Published: September 2021

Aim

To establish a 3D model for screening the biocompatibility of dental materials/drugs on dental pulp cells and tissue.

Methodology

Human dental pulp cells (hDPC) and endothelial cells (EC) were mixed with or without human dental pulp derived extracellular matrix (hDP‐ECM) according to several protocols and cultured in 3D plates to fabricate 3D organoids. Cell viability and proliferation in organoids were evaluated using Live/Dead cell viability assay and ATPase assay. Organoids were fixed, cut and stained with a H&E staining kit. The expressions of DSPP, DMP‐1, CD31, vWF and COL1A in 3D organoids were evaluated using immunofluorescence. To assess the feasibility of 3D organoids on drug/material toxicity screening, the organoids were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or iRoot BP. Then, cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. The expressions of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β were compared in LPS‐treated and non‐treated organoids. Alizarin Red S staining was used to evaluate calcium deposit formation in organoids. Data were analysed using one‐way anova followed by Tukey's post hoc comparison.

Results

The 3D spheres/organoids were formed at day 1 or day 2. Cells in 3D organoids maintained a high viability rate and low proliferation activity. The level of CD31 increased significantly (p < .05) when EC were added to coculture with hDPC. The expressions of odontogenesis‐associated proteins (DSPP, COL1A) upregulated (p < .05) with the addition of hDP‐ECM. Level of IL‐6 expression and rates of dead and apoptotic cells in 3D organoids were increased significantly (p < .05) in response to LPS. Calcium deposit formation was observed in iRoot BP‐treated organoids.

Conclusions

Coculture of hDPC and EC in the presence of hDP‐ECM formed functional dental pulp organoids. The experimental model provides an alternative tool for toxicity screening of dental pulp capping agents and dental pulp regeneration research.
Conversion of selenite by Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) to pentagonal selenium nanoforms which in vitro modulates the formation of calcium oxalate crystals
Authors: Alvares Jyothi J. , Furtado Irene J.
Published: September 2021

Aim

To investigate the ability of Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) to biosynthesize non-toxic elemental selenium (Se0) and check their capacity in in vitro crystal structure modulation of calcium oxalate, which are implicated in the development of renal calculi.

Methods and Results

Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) during growth in the presence of 5 mmol L−1 of selenite formed insoluble brick-red particles. Se0 formed was monitored spectrophotometrically using a combination of two assays; the ascorbic acid reduction and sodium sulphide solubilization assay. After 168 h of growth, 2.89 mmol L−1 of Se0 was formed from 4.9 mmol L−1 of selenite. Absorption bands at 1.5, 11.2 and 12.5 keV in EDX spectroscopy confirmed that the brick-red particulate matter was Se0. Furthermore, these selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were pentagonal in shape in transmission electron microscopy imaging. The peak positions in X-ray diffractogram at 2θ values of 23.40°, 29.66°, 41.26°, 43.68°, 45.24°, 51.62°, 55.93° and 61.47° and the relative intensities further confirmed the formation of Se0. In vitro addition of 50 and 100 µg ml−1 of these SeNPs to the mixture of sodium chloride, calcium chloride and sodium oxalate affected and modulated the shape and size of rectangular-shaped calcium oxalate crystals (average area of 1.23 ± 0.2 µm2) to smaller rectangular-shaped crystals (average area of 0.54 ± 0.2 µm2) and spherical-shaped crystals (average area 0.13 ± 0.005 µm2).

Conclusion

Haloferax alexandrinus GUSF-1 (KF796625) transformed selenite to Se0 pentagonal nanoforms that modulated in vitro the formation of crystal shape and size of calcium oxalate.

Significance and Impact of Study

There are no reports on conversion of selenite to Se0 among the Haloferax genera, and this study involving the formation of pentagonal SeNPs with capacity to modulate the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in haloarchaea is recorded as the first report and of significance in pharmaceutical research related to formulations abetting urinary calculi.
Real-time qPCR to evaluate bacterial contamination of cosmetic cream and the efficiency of protective ingredients
Authors: Bermond Charlène , Cherrad Semcheddine , Trainoy Aurélie , Ngari Chrisse , Poulet Valérie
Published: September 2021

Aims

The absence of objectionable micro-organisms in cosmetics and the efficiency of preservatives are still mainly assessed by time-consuming cultivation-based methods. We explored the applicability of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and reported on the behaviour of different bacteria in artificially contaminated creams.

Methods and results

Real-time qPCR on DNA from Burkholderia cepacia, Pluribacter gergoviae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Sphingomonas paucimobilis identified specific primer pairs that amplify accurately and efficiently two strains/isolates of each species. Using DNeasy mericon Food Kit, we detected bacterial growth in an inoculated cosmetic cream and persistency of DNA from heat-inactivated bacteria. We were also able to monitor the growth inhibitory effect of caprylyl glycol and EDTA, also showing how different bacterial species interact depending on the presence/absence of these ingredients. Finally, creams supplemented with the protective cosmetic ingredients revealed the various behaviour of five strains/isolates from P. aeruginosa.

Conclusions

Successfully extracting bacterial DNA from artificially contaminated cosmetic creams, we could perform real-time qPCR to identify and follow the growth of various strains of 4 bacteria species under different conditions.

Significance and impact of the study

Real-time qPCR appears as a promising method to detect bacterial contamination in cosmetic creams and/or to monitor growth inhibition by ingredients.
Beyond All‐or‐Nothing Approaches to Moral Expertise
Authors: Niv Yarden
Published: September 2021

Are philosophers moral experts, and if so, what does this imply for their proper role in moral decision‐making? The dominant view on this subject argues that philosophers have superior moral understanding, but they are not better judges of what is morally right. Consequently, philosophers cannot and should not have an authoritative role in moral decision‐making. In this article, I challenge this view and argue that an examination of the intimate connection between two capacities – to understand and to judge – reveals that it is both inconsistent and simplistic. It is inconsistent because, all things being equal, if philosophers better understand moral problems, they are also better judges of them. It is simplistic because it adopts an all‐or‐nothing approach to moral expertise, while expertise is in fact conditional. Inspired by the psychological literature on expertise, I claim that we should not ask whether philosophers are moral experts but rather under which conditions they successfully execute their expertise. The conclusion of the dominant view needs to be reconsidered to reflect the conditional nature of philosophers' expertise. Although more empirical research is required, I offer several hypotheses for future endeavours that demonstrate what a conditional view of philosophers' moral expertise could look like.
Functional analysis of small heat shock proteins providing evidence of temperature tolerance in Hyphantria cunea
Authors: Li Hui , Tao Rong , Qiao Heng , Zhao Xudong , Li Shouyin , Dai Lulu , Hao Dejun
Published: September 2021

A substantial increase in the occurrence of extremely high‐ or low‐temperature events caused by global climate change has imposed pressure on the survival and reproduction of invertebrates. Hyphantria cunea (H. cunea; Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is a worldwide defoliator and has become a major forestry and agricultural pest during the past three decades in China. The thermal and cold tolerance has directly affected the population and geographical distribution of H. cunea, which remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the thermal tolerance of H. cunea larvae and discovered that they could endure extremely high temperatures, as demonstrated by median lethal times (Ltim50) of 103.3 hr at 37°C, 62.0 hr at 40°C and even 14.5 hr at 43°C. To further explore the molecular evidence of the physiological response to heat and cold, we cloned and characterized six small heat shock proteins (sHSPs). These proteins possessed the conserved α‐domain of the sHSP family at the C‐terminus and various N‐terminal domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HCsHSPs presented a close evolutionary relationship with sHSP genes in noctuidae species. Four sHSPs in H. cunea were sensitive to heat stress, and only HCsHSP28.7 was induced by cold stress. The expression level of HCsHSPs peaked at 40°C and decreased in treatment at 45°C. HCsHSP20.0 transcripts were abundant in the cuticle after heat shock, and HCsHSP28.7 was most enriched in the fat body after cold shock. In addition, an equal molecular weight of the HCsHSP20.0 protein could completely protect malate dehydrogenase (MDH) from thermal aggregation. Recombinant HCsHSP28.7 E. coli cells exhibited tolerance to cold stress. Overall, our results demonstrate that HCsHSPs, especially HCsHSP20.0 and HCsHSP28.7, are vital genes in the adaptation of H. cunea larvae to extreme conditions in the context of global climate change.
Dehydration of pequi slices (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) by infrared: Modeling and effective diffusion coefficient
Authors: Pinheiro Sávio Augusto Rocha , Corrêa Paulo Cesar , Silva Jeremias Guidine , Zeymer Juliana Soares , de Araujo Marcos Eduardo Viana
Published: September 2021

One of the ways to enable and preserve the quality of an agricultural product is through its dehydration. Drying by infrared radiation has been gaining great attention from the industry, as it promotes better heating uniformity, conferring better quality characteristics when compared to traditional drying methods. Thus, this study aimed to model the drying kinetics of pequi slices, subjected to drying by infrared radiation. Pequi fruits (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), harvested manually in different stages of maturation (green and ripe), with initial moisture contents of 1.06 and 2.20 kga kgdm−1, were used for the green and ripe fruits, respectively. The fruits were peeled and cut into slices approximately 40 mm long and 2 mm thick. The slices were subjected to the infrared drying process under the temperatures of 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95°C. During drying, the effective diffusion coefficient was evaluated. Among the mathematical models that were adjusted to the experimental data, the modified Henderson and Pabis model satisfactorily described the period of decreasing drying rate of pequi slices. During the drying process, the diffusion coefficient increased linearly with temperature, ranging from 8.15 × 10−10 to 1.76 × 10−9 m2 s−1 for green pequi slices and 1.01 × 10−9 to 2.04 × 10−9 m2 s−1 for ripe pequi slices.

Practical applications

Pequi fruit is characterized as an important native product of the Brazilian Cerrado, being a considerable source of income for the producing regions. Due to seasonality, there is a need to store the fruits. Thus, this study aims to help researchers and the pequi processing industry, proposing an alternative for marketing in the dehydrated fruit form, by infrared drying, to enable and preserve the quality of the product.
The effect of gestational age at the time of diagnosis on adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with COVID‐19
Authors: Aydın Gültekin Adanaş , Ünal Serhat , Özsoy Hilal Gülsüm Turan
Published: September 2021

Objective

We aimed to investigate the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, preeclampsia (PE), and fetal growth restriction (FGR) in pregnant women with COVID‐19 according to the gestational age.

Methods

This retrospective study included 167 pregnant women who were hospitalized with confirmed COVID‐19. The patients were divided into three groups according to the time of diagnosis as follows: <12 weeks of gestation (first trimester, n = 10), 12–24 weeks of gestation (n = 28), and >24 weeks of gestation (n = 129). Medical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively and adverse pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 49 (29.3%) patients had an active COVID‐19 infection at the time of delivery, while 118 (70.7%) gave birth after the infection was cleared. Twenty‐three patients had preterm birth and the gestational age was <34 weeks in only four of these patients. There was no significant difference in the preterm birth, PE, FGR, HELLP syndrome, and gestational diabetes mellitus among the three gestation groups (p = 0.271, 0.394, 0.403, 0.763, and 0.664, respectively). Four (2.39%) patients required intensive care unit stay. Maternal death was seen in only one (0.59%) patient.

Conclusion

Our study showed no significant correlation between the gestational age at the time of COVID‐19 infection and the frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, PE, FGR, and gestational diabetes mellitus. However, further studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion on this topic.