bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional regulation of postmitotic H3K27me3 distributions underlie cerebellar granule neuron maturation dynamics
Authors: Ramesh Vijyendra , Liu Fang , Minto Melyssa S. , Chan Urann , West Anne E.
Published: October 2022

The functional maturation of neurons is a prolonged process that extends well beyond mitotic exit and is mediated by the chromatin-dependent orchestration of gene transcription programs. We find that the postnatal maturation of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) requires dynamic changes in the genomic distribution of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), demonstrating a function for this chromatin modification beyond its role in cell fate specification. The developmental loss of H3K27me3 at promoters of genes that turn on as CGNs mature is facilitated by the lysine demethylase, and ASD-risk gene, Kdm6b. Interestingly, inhibition of the H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 in newborn CGNs not only blocks the repression of progenitor genes but also impairs the induction of mature CGN genes, showing the importance of bidirectional H3K27me3 regulation across the genome. These data demonstrate that H3K27me3 turnover in developing postmitotic neurons regulates the temporal coordination of gene expression programs that underlie functional neuronal maturation.
Co-option of ancestral signal elements in the evolution of a cooperative parental behavior
Authors: Moss Jeanette B. , Tumulty James P. , Fischer Eva K.
Published: October 2022

The emergence of complex social interactions is predicted to be an important selective force in the diversification of communication systems. Parental care presents a key social context in which to study the evolution of novel signals, as care often requires communication and behavioral coordination between parents and is an evolutionary stepping-stone towards increasingly complex social systems. Anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) are a classic model of acoustic communication and the vocal repertoires of many species have been characterized in the contexts of advertisement, courtship, and aggression; yet quantitative descriptions of calls elicited in the context of parental care are lacking. The biparental poison frog,Ranitomeya imitator, exhibits a remarkable parenting behavior in which females, cued by the calls of their male partners, feed tadpoles unfertilized eggs. Here, we characterized and compared calls across three social contexts, for the first time including a parental care context. We found that egg feeding calls share some properties with both advertisement and courtship calls but also had unique properties. Multivariate analysis revealed high classification success for advertisement and courtship calls but misclassified nearly half of egg feeding calls as either advertisement or courtship calls, suggesting additional signal modalities play a role in parental communication. Egg feeding and courtship calls both contained less identity information than advertisement calls, as expected for signals used in close-range communication where uncertainty about identity is low. Taken together, egg feeding calls likely borrowed and recombined elements of both ancestral call types to solicit a novel, context-dependent parenting response.

Significance Statement

Parental care has evolved independently in every major animal lineage and represents a major step in the evolution of complex sociality. Communication systems may need to increase in complexity. To explore these ideas, we characterized calls associated with trophic egg feeding, a unique cooperative parental behavior in the biparental mimic poison frog and compared them to calls associated with mate attraction (advertisement and courtship calls). Our analysis revealed some distinct, but many shared properties of signals elicited during egg feeding, suggesting that signals deployed in a novel social context evolve via modification and recombination of existing signals. These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between complexity of social and communication systems.
Signal integration by a bHLH circuit enables fate choice in neural stem cells
Authors: Nandagopal Nagarajan , Terrio Alexsandra , Vicente Fernando Z. , Jambhekar Ashwini , Lahav Galit
Published: October 2022

Stem cells integrate information from multiple signals in their environment to make fate decisions. It is unclear how signal integration is linked to the coordinated activation of a target fate program and simultaneous inactivation of competing fates. Here, we investigated this question in mouse neural stem cells, which differentiate synergistically into astrocytes in response to combined treatment with Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) at the expense of alternative neuronal or oligodendrocyte fates. Analysis of the expression dynamics of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), an early astrocyte marker, showed that its synergistic activation in BMP and LIF reflects early activation by LIF which is sustained by a delayed contribution to its expression from BMP. In parallel, multiplexed RNA-FISH analysis of 14 basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, known to regulate alternative fates, showed that LIF and BMP individually control different subsets of bHLHs, but together suppress all bHLHs known to promote alternative fates. Ectopic expression experiments showed that these bHLHs also inhibit GFAP induction, suggesting that suppression of alternative fates by BMP + LIF simultaneously relieves GFAP inhibition. In particular, BMP primarily affected inhibitory bHLHs indirectly, through induction of Id factors, explaining why it has a delayed contribution to GFAP transcription compared to LIF. These results show that a circuit of bHLH factors enables both synergistic astrocytic differentiation and suppression of alternative fates in NSCs. Signal integration by bHLH circuits for fate choice could be broadly relevant, given the widespread utilization of these and other bHLH factors across diverse developmental contexts.
The TLK1-MK5 axis regulates motility, invasion, and metastasis of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Khalil Md Imtiaz , De Benedetti Arrigo
Published: October 2022

Background

Metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for majority of PCa related deaths. However, the exact mechanism of PCa cell spread is still unknown. We uncovered a novel interaction between two unrelated promotility factors, tousled-like kinase 1 (TLK1) and MAPK-activated protein kinase 5 (MK5), which initiates a signaling cascade promoting metastasis. In PCa, TLK1-MK5 signaling might be crucial as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) leads to increased expression of both TLK1 and MK5 in metastatic patients, but in this work, we directly investigated the motility, invasive, and metastatic capacity of PCa cells following impairment of the TLK1>MK5 axis.

Results

We conducted scratch wound repair and 3D invasion assays with LNCaP and PC3 cells to determine if TLK1 and MK5 can regulate motility and invasion. Both genetic depletion and pharmacologic inhibition of TLK1 and MK5 resulted in reduced migration and invasion through a Matrigel plug. We further elucidated the potential mechanisms underlying these effects and found that that this is likely due to reorganization of the actin fibers at lamellipodia and the focal adhesions network, in conjunction with increased expression of some MMPs that can affect penetration through the ECM. PC3, a highly metastatic cell line when assayed in xenografts, was further tested in tail-vein injection/lung metastasis model, and we showed that following inoculation, treatment with GLPG (MK5 specific inhibitor) or J54 (TLK1 inhibitor) the resulting lung tumor nodules were greatly diminished in number, and for J54 also in size.

Conclusion

Our data support that TLK1-MK5 axis is functionally involved in driving PCa cell metastasis and clinical aggressiveness, hence, disruption of this axis may inhibit the metastatic capacity of PCa.

SIMPLE SUMMARY

Recent work by us and others has illustrated the critical importance of MK5/PRAK in the invasive and motility properties of several cancer cell lines and some mouse models. In our earlier work we also uncovered that TLK1 modulates the activity of MK5 by phosphorylating S354 and two additional sites (S160 and S386).. We have now expanded on the possible mechanisms of the TLK1>MK5 pro-motility and invasive activity, and report that this may be due to reorganization of the actin fibers at lamellipodia and the focal adhesions network, in conjunction with increased expression of some MMPs. Pharmacological or genetic manipulation of prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines, LNCaP and PC3, results in drastic loss of in vitro motility and invasive capacity of these cells concomitant with alterations of their general morphology and reorganization of the focal adhesions distribution. In addition, PC3 used in tail-vein experimental metastases studies show that the use of GLPG (MK5 inhibitor) or J54 (TLK1 inhibitor) results in a drastic reduction of metastatic lung nodules, macroscopically and histologically.
Interpolatory proper order decomposition of nonlinear transmission line circuits
Authors: Condon Marissa , Hayes Brendan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The paper is concerned with interpolatory proper orthogonal decomposition (IPOD) methods for nonlinear transmission line circuits. This paper aims to examine several factors that must be considered when applying such model reduction techniques to this kind of circuit.

Design/methodology/approach

Two types of POD will be implemented. In each case, the choice of the order of the reduced model and the order of the interpolation space shall be considered. The stability of the models shall be explored.

Findings

The results indicate that the order for the reduced model to obtain accurate results depends on the chosen method when considering nonlinear transmission lines. The results also indicate that the structure of the nonlinear transmission line is crucial for determining the stability of the reduced models.

Originality/value

The work compares two IPOD methods and discusses the issues involved in achieving an accurate and stable reduced-order model for a nonlinear transmission line.
Kapter: pursuing innovation and competitive advantage in the Mexican B2B ecosystem
Authors: Valdés-Cervantes Víctor H. , Reyes-Mercado Pável
Published: October 2022

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: to assess the competitive position of a small business-to-business (B2B) company to remain competitive in a developing country; to identify and shape the business opportunity that represents serving small and medium enterprises that would lead to competitive positioning in the B2B environment; and to compare innovation and commercialization projects through strategic dimensions related to managing a technology company in a way that fosters business profitability and growth.

Case overview/Synopsis

Margarita Kaplun, founder and CEO of Kapter, a small company providing country-wide technical and consultant services on thermography to industrial hubs in Mexico, had positioned the company as a reputed provider. However, the company had experienced razor-thin margins. Margarita needs to decide whether they pursue the following grant to fund a project on technology development that will source the competitive position or pursue a commercial project that help them achieve a larger customer base to reap higher income.

Complexity academic level

The case is oriented for an undergraduate audience, attending entrepreneurship, innovation and industrial organization courses. It depicts issues of technology-based entrepreneurship and is suitable for students in business, management and engineering.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Factors influencing the organisational capabilities of the public sector for implementation of building information modelling in construction projects
Authors: Yusuf Anthony Olukayode , Opawole Akintayo , Musa Nofiu Abiodun , Kadiri Dele Samuel , Ebunoluwa Esther Ilori
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study examined factors influencing the organisational capabilities of the public sector for building information modelling (BIM) implementation in construction projects with a view to enhancing the performance of public sector projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative descriptive analysis that was based on primary data. In total, 198 valid questionnaires obtained from construction professionals within the public sector provided primary quantitative data for the assessment. The respondents provided the responses on the factors which were identified through an in-depth synthesis of literature relating to organisational capabilities of the public sector. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The findings established that the potential of the public sector to deploy BIM in construction projects is greatly influenced by varying degree of organisational capability attributes with bureaucratic culture (mean score, MS = 3.37), structural complexity (MS = 3.17), lack of skilled and trained staff (MS = 3.12), personnel stability (MS = 3.11), staff cooperation (MS = 3.09) and political constraint (MS = 3.07) ranked highest. Through factor analysis, these and other highly influential factors were grouped into eight components, namely management-related, policy-related, technical-related, attitude-related, work structure-related, work ethic-related, decision-related and feedback-related factors. This grouping reflects the various components of organisational capability attributes which the public sector needs to efficiently develop to benefit from project management paradigm introduced by BIM.

Practical implications

This study provided information for improving specific capability attributes with respect to human and technical resources as well as other soft infrastructure to support BIM implementation on building projects by the public sector client. The study also serves as a guide for understanding BIM implementation by the public sector in similar socio-political and economic contexts.

Originality/value

This assessment indicates various degrees by which the organisational attributes of public sector have influenced the attributes' capability to implement BIM on construction projects. Thus, findings provide information on areas of improvement for better implementation of BIM by the public sector in project delivery.
The behavioural intention to use MOOCs by undergraduate students: incorporating TAM with TPB
Authors: Wang Kai , van Hemmen Stefan Felix , Criado Josep Rialp
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to determine the impact that the crucial determinants have on the behavioural intention (BI) of undergraduates to adopt Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), addressing two perspectives that are students' technical experience and psychosocial factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a questionnaire study, and all the respondents are undergraduates in Barcelona, Spain. A total of 188 students are selected as survey subjects. Data collection applies the five-point Likert scale, and the collected information refers to demographic information and constructs related to the technology acceptance model (TAM) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and partial least square (PLS) are used to examine the measurement model's convergent and discriminant validity and test the hypotheses implementing the bootstrapping method.

Findings

The results show perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) are influential in forming an attitude (ATT), and PU could directly impact BI significantly. Additionally, the mediating role of ATT in the relationships amongst PU, PEOU and BI are investigated. Besides, perceived behavioural control (PBC) is found a critical variable and significantly impacts BI, whereas subjective norms (SN) is not found statistically significant in explaining BI in this study.

Originality/value

This study has confirmed that ATT has a positive mediation effect on PU, PEOU and BI. This study has also confirmed the validity and model fit of the incorporated model of TAM and TPB, which sufficiently accounts for the planned behavioural process of undergraduates to accept a MOOC and contributes to validating literature of the incorporated model of TAM and TPB. Besides, this study provides MOOCs managers with practical suggestions. First, ease-of-use interfaces should be designed and intensified. Second, more channels should be explored to satisfy students' needs. Third, managers should intensify the leverage of the systems and introduce the free trial period to new learners. Fourth, a bonus mechanism could be adopted to motivate students. Last, manager should intensify the construction of oral advertisements amongst students.
Assessing the impact of corporate environmental irresponsibility on workplace deviant behavior of generation Z and millennials: a multigroup analysis
Authors: Abbasi Munir A. , Amran Azlan , Sahar Noor e
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Drawing on expectancy violation theory, this study aims to assess the impact of corporate environmental irresponsibility (CEI) on workplace deviant behaviors (WDB) of Generation Z and Millennials through the mediation of moral outrage.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 328 nonmanagerial employees working in the refinery, petroleum and power distribution companies who have been convicted for committing environmental irresponsibility by a court of law. Multigroup analysis (MGA) was used to estimate the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Results revealed that CEI affects WDBs positively. Moreover, the MGA results demonstrated that the deviant behavior of Generation Z in response to environmental irresponsibility is higher than of the Millennials.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the findings implicate that harming the environment will cost organizational performance through deviant behaviors.

Practical implications

This study provides a new lens for the executive management that eliminating social irresponsibility is more important than incurring sustainability initiatives, especially from the new generation’s perspective.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is that it confirmed the impact of CEI on employees’ deviant behaviors; and extended the scope of expectancy violation theory to the field of human resources.
Perception of time in the online product customization process
Authors: Wang Yue , Mo Daniel Y. , Ma Hoi Lam
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Many e-commerce companies adopt a product customization platform offering various choices for customers to configure products to better satisfy their needs. However, a method to effectively measure customer satisfaction is lacking. This paper aims to investigate customers' perception of time in the online configuration process of customized products and seeks to propose time perception as the measurement of the effectiveness of online product customization.

Design/methodology/approach

An online laptop customization system was used in an empirical experiment to collect respondents' answers in a set of research questions. Regression and correlation analysis were conducted to investigate the factors affecting customers' satisfaction as well as the relationships with time perception.

Findings

The experimental results reveal several factors in customers' perception of time during the online product customization process. First, customers tend to overestimate the amount of time spent in a short-duration task but underestimate the amount of time spent in a long-duration task. Second, customers' perceptions of time are significantly correlated with their satisfaction with the configured products, and perceived time is moderately correlated with their satisfaction with the configuration process. Third, the difficulty of customization tasks and customers' motivation to process information also significantly affect customers' perceptions of time.

Originality/value

This paper advances the research on time perception by developing a new relative segmentation-based method to estimate the subjective perception of time. This study also makes several contributions to product customization research: the authors fill a research gap in the field of product customization by incorporating customers' perceptions of time into the measurement of customer satisfaction and by identifying the significant relationships among customers' perception of time, the ease of task selection, the customers' motivation to process information, and customers' satisfaction with customized products. These results aid in the design of online product customization systems.
Luxury customer's motivations to adopt gamification
Authors: Jain Sheetal , Mishra Sita , Saxena Garima
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In the recent past, gamification has been recognized as an effective tool for engaging customers. However, there is limited research to explain luxury consumers' motivations to adopt gamification. This research applies the service-dominant (S-D) logic theory to investigate the association between motivation to adopt gamification, customer engagement, and affective commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through structured questionnaires from a sample of 242 millennial luxury consumers in India. Collected data were examined using AMOS 25 and Process Macro for SPSS.

Findings

The findings reveal that consumers' social and personal integrative motives for gaming positively influence customer engagement with luxury brands. Further, all three sub-dimensions of customer engagement (conscious attention, enthused participation, and social connection) are also found to positively influence affective commitment. Customer engagement fully mediates the association between motivation and affective commitment, while the self-brand connection is found to weaken the mediated relationship.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first studies to explore luxury consumers' motivations behind engaging in gamification through moderated-mediation framework.
A multi‐data training method for a deep neural network to improve the separation effect of simultaneous‐source data
Authors: Wang Kunxi , Mao Weijian , Song Huan , Evinemi E. Isaac
Published: October 2022

Within the field of seismic data acquisition with active sources, the technique of acquiring simultaneous data, also known as blended data, offers operational advantages. The preferred processing of blended data starts with a step of deblending, that is separation of the data acquired by the different sources, to produce data that mimic data from a conventional seismic acquisition and can be effectively processed by standard methods. Recently, deep learning methods based on the deep neural network have been applied to the deblending task with promising results, in particular using an iterative approach. We propose an enhancement to deblending with an iterative deep neural network, whereby we modify the training stage of the deep neural network in order to achieve better performance through the iterations. We refer to the method that only uses the blended data as the input data as the general training method. Our new multi‐data training method allows the deep neural network to be trained by the data set with the input patches composed of blended data, noisy data with low amplitude crosstalk noise, and unblended data, which can improve the ability of the deep neural network to remove crosstalk noise and protect weak signal. Based on such an extended training data set, the multi‐data training method embedded in the iterative separation framework can result in different outputs at different iterations and converge to the best result in a shorter iteration number. Transfer learning can further improve the generalization and separation efficacy of our proposed method to deblend the simultaneous‐source data. Our proposed method is tested on two synthetic data and two field data to prove the effectiveness and superiority in the deblending of the simultaneous‐source data compared with the general training method, generic noise attenuation network and low‐rank matrix factorization methods.
Dietitians' perspectives on the role of dietetics practice in ‘gut health’
Authors: Williams Georgina M. , Tapsell Linda C. , Beck Eleanor J.
Published: October 2022

Aims

This study aimed to explore dietitians' perspectives on the evidence surrounding the relationship between diet and ‘gut health’ and the current and emerging role of dietetics practice in this area.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive methodology was used. Online semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Australian dietitians, focused on the perspectives related to gut health management in dietetics practice. Inductive thematic analysis was employed, commencing with initial coding by two researchers, and further coding leading to development of emergent themes. Divergent data were discussed and considered in analysis.

Results

Fourteen interviews were conducted (2 males, 12 females). An overarching theme identified that current evidence is insufficient to direct dietetics practice change regarding gut health. Six subthemes on dietetics practice in ‘gut health’ emerged including (a) practice is multifaceted, (b) current practice aligns with dietary guidelines, (c) symptom management remains the primary concern, (d) evidence‐based information is sought, (e) translational evidence is required for practice change and (f) there is a role for dietetics in gut health research and translation.

Conclusions

Dietitians do not appear confident in their practice regarding gut microbiome‐related management and recognise there is currently limited translatable research to inform practice. Evidence to date suggests that recommendations for positive gut health do not differ substantially from Australian Dietary Guidelines. Dietitians will need additional education if further evidence emerges, however they demonstrated a strong commitment to evidence‐based practice.
Identifying rare variants inconsistent with identity‐by‐descent in population‐scale whole‐genome sequencing data
Authors: Johnson Kelsey E. , Adams Christopher J. , Voight Benjamin F.
Published: October 2022

Analyses of genetic variation typically assume that rare variants within a population are inherited from a single common ancestral event identity‐by‐descent (IBD). However, there are genetic and technical processes through which rare variants in population genetic data may deviate from this simple evolutionary model, including recurrent mutations, gene conversions and genotyping error. All these processes can decrease the expected length of shared background haplotype surrounding a rare variant if that variant was inherited from a single event descending from a common ancestor. No method exists to computationally infer rare variants inconsistent with this simple model—denoted here as ‘IBD‐inconsistent’—using unphased population sequencing data.

We hypothesized that the difference in shared haplotype background length can distinguish variants consistent and inconsistent with this simple IBD transmission population sequencing data without pedigree information. We implemented a Bayesian hierarchical model and used Gibbs sampling to estimate the posterior probability of IBD state for rare variants, using simulated recurrent mutations to demonstrate that our approach accurately distinguishes rare variants consistent and inconsistent with a simple IBD inheritance model.

Applying our method to whole‐genome sequencing data from 3,621 human individuals in the UK10K consortium, we found that IBD‐inconsistent variants correlated with higher local mutation rates and genomic features like replication timing. Using a heuristic to categorize IBD‐inconsistent variants as gene conversions, we found that potential gene conversions had expected properties such as enriched local GC content.

By identifying IBD‐inconsistent variants, we can better understand the spectrum of recent mutations in human populations, a source of genetic variation driving evolution and a key factor in understanding recent demographic history.
The impact of Covid‐19 on gamete shipping by Australian and New Zealand patients
Authors: Everingham Sam , Whittaker Andrea
Published: October 2022

Background

Cross‐border surrogacy and egg donor arrangements are an increasingly common means to family building. Establishing patterns of use has always been difficult in relation to Australian patients. Accurate data is stymied by lack of documentation of international third‐party reproductive care available to Australian authorities. When international travel bans came into effect, it is hypothesised that those planning to use cross‐border reproductive care had to rely significantly more on local in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics for services such as sperm freezing, embryo creation and gamete release procedures.

Aim

To quantify and characterise the impact of the Covid‐19‐related travel ban on international and interstate gamete shipping by Australian IVF clinics.

Materials and methods

Thirty‐one Australian and New Zealand IVF clinics were invited to provide de‐identified data on interstate and international gamete export applications from two 12 month time periods pre‐ and during Covid‐19‐related international travel lockdowns. Seven IVF organisations provided data on: patient age; type of gametes exported; destination country/state; and date gamete release approved.

Results

Most gametes (78%) were shipped to another Australian IVF clinic and 22% internationally. Patient‐initiated shipping domestically and internationally both showed significant increases when comparing pre‐ and post‐Covid datasets. Of the 21 destination countries reported for international shipments, the US was the commonest (39%), followed by Ukraine (21%) and Canada (9%).

Conclusions

The inability of involuntarily infertile patients to travel internationally, rather than halt cross‐border reproductive care, has led to a significant increase in the uptake of gamete shipping. The high proportion of internationally shipped gametes going to the US and Ukraine is likely a reflection of the availability of surrogates and donors and more amenable legal frameworks.
Pattern-Based Clustering of Daily Weigh-In Trajectories Using Dynamic Time Warping
Authors: Bothwell Samantha , Kaizer Alex , Peterson Ryan , Ostendorf Danielle , Catenacci Victoria , Wrobel Julia
Published: October 2022

“Smart”-scales are a new tool for frequent monitoring of weight change as well as weigh-in behavior. These scales give researchers the opportunity to discover patterns in the frequency that individuals weigh themselves over time, and how these patterns are associated with overall weight loss. Our motivating data come from an 18-month behavioral weight loss study of 55 adults classified as overweight or obese who were instructed to weigh themselves daily. Adherence to daily weigh-in routines produces a binary times series for each subject, indicating whether a participant weighed in on a given day. To characterize weigh-in by time-invariant patterns rather than overall adherence, we propose using hierarchical clustering with dynamic time warping (DTW). We perform an extensive simulation study to evaluate the performance of DTW compared to Euclidean and Jaccard distances to recover underlying patterns in adherence time series. In addition, we compare cluster performance using cluster validation indices (CVIs) under the single, average, complete, and Ward linkages and evaluate how internal and external CVIs compare for clustering binary time series. We apply conclusions from the simulation to cluster our real data and summarize observed weigh-in patterns. Our analysis finds that the adherence trajectory pattern is significantly associated with weight loss.
Topping of naturally dyed wool fabrics with different natural dye sources
Authors: Benli Hüseyin , Aydınlıoğlu Ömer , Yılmaz Fazlıhan , Bahtiyari Muhammed İbrahim
Published: October 2022

Wool fabrics can be dyed with synthetic dyes and even with natural dyes. To present a different aspect to the coloration of wool, the current study was focused on a topping process (ie, the dyeing of wool that was already dyed) with different natural dye sources. For this purpose, the fabrics that were already dyed with a natural dye source were once again dyed with two different natural dyes. In bottom dyeing (bottoming), fabrics were dyed with hops (Humulus lupulus L.) in the presence of different mordanting agents. Then the dyed, washed and dried samples were once again dyed (topping) with two different natural dye sources. For topping, powdered madder and acorn were tested in direct dyeing of wool samples. Finally, the colour changes were analysed with the use of a spectrophotometer. The study demonstrates that such a process (ie, bottoming with hops in the presence of different mordanting agents and then topping with madder or acorn) can be a way of obtaining different shades and colours with sufficient/good fastness values by natural dyeing.
A strategic approach of the crucial elements for the implementation of digital tools and processes in higher education
Authors: Esteve‐Mon Francesc M. , Postigo‐Fuentes Ana Yara , Castañeda Linda
Published: October 2022

Implementation of digital tools and processes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as an emergent activity depends on the sociomaterial relationships between institutional factors that dynamically interact with each other. This article systematically explores through a literature review some of the most relevant and up‐to‐date published studies to identify the ‘important factors’ to consider for the implementation of digital tools and processes in HEI. The goal of the paper is to turn these factors, conceived initially as previous conditions or characteristics of the institutions or people, into a list of strategic elements to be fostered by HEI leadership teams to promote better implementation of digital tools and processes in their institutions. In the final part of this work, we propose a framework that reflects these elements in a visual approach that highlights the activity‐centred character of the framework as well as the emergent character of the implementation process itself.
Acute effects of aerobic versus resistance exercises on cognitive function in individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Borji Rihab , Affes Sana , Zarrouk Nidhal , Sahli Sonia , Rebai Haithem
Published: October 2022

Background

This study compared the acute effects of aerobic (AE) and resistance (RE) exercise on reaction time (RT) and working memory (WM) in individuals with intellectual disability.

Methods

RT tests and Corsi test for WM were performed before and after three intervention sessions: AE, RE, or control session consisting on watching video.

Results

The RT values decreased significantly (p < .001) after both of AE and RE with higher extend after the RE but did not vary following the control session. Corsi scores increased significantly (p < .001) after AE but not after RE or control session.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the effects of acute exercise on cognitive function in individuals with intellectual disability depend on the exercise mode as well as the nature of the cognitive task. The RE seems to be more recommended for RT enhancement whereas only the aerobic one could improve WM in these individuals.
A novel wide‐band dielectric imaging system to guide radiofrequency ablation for pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Maurer Tilman , Flindt Max , Jularic Mario , Lemes Christine , Akbulak‐Stegli Ruken Özge , Gunawardene Melanie A. , Hartmann Jens , Eickholt Christian , Willems Stephan , Schäffer Benjamin
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Recently, the wide‐band dielectric mapping system Kodex‐EPD was introduced. This study reports the first clinical experience using a novel system to guide pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency (RF) ablation.

Methods and Results

The study included 20 consecutive patients undergoing de‐novo PVI for symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation guided by Kodex‐EPD. The primary efficacy endpoint was successful PVI. Secondary endpoints included procedural parameters and complications. In all 20 patients (mean age 68 ± 8 years, 12 male patients, paroxysmal fibrillation in 14/20 [70%] patients), PVI was successfully completed. One patient underwent additional cavo‐tricuspid isthmus ablation for concomitant typical atrial flutter and one patient required additional ablation of a focal atrial tachycardia. A conventional three‐dimensional image of the left atrium as well as the innovative endocardial panoramic view were used to guide catheter manipulation and ablation. Median procedure time was 115 [1st; 3rd quartile 93,75; 140] min and median total fluoroscopy time was 9.9 [9.7; 11.2] min, of which a median of 0.8 [0.6; 0.9] min was required to create left atrial maps. Complete left atrial imaging using Kodex‐EPD was achieved within a median of 7.1 [5.7; 8.3] min. Median RF ablation time was 45.1 [34.6; 58.7] min. No major complications were observed.

Conclusion

RF ablation PVI guided by Kodex‐EPD seems safe and feasible. The system provides effective three‐dimensional guidance for PVI.
Web‐based training intervention to increase physical activity level and improve health for adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Fjellstrom S. , Hansen E. , Hölttä J. , Zingmark M. , Nordström A. , Lund Ohlsson M.
Published: October 2022

Background

Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are less physically active, have a higher body mass index (BMI) and are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than people without ID. The purpose of the study was to explore the effectiveness of a web‐based training programme, consisting of 150 min of activity per week, on the health of people with ID.

Method

Participants with ID living in supported accommodation (n = 28, 48% female, age = 36.4 ± 9.56 years) participated in a web‐based training programme, consisting of a combination of exercises (endurance, strength balance and flexibility) of moderate intensity, 50 min, three times per week for 12 weeks. The body composition and waist circumference (WC) were measured, and questionnaires were used to assess enjoyment, quality of life (QoL) and physical activity (PA) level. Descriptive statistics and pairwise comparison pre and post intervention were carried out.

Results

A total of 22 out of 28 participants completed the 12‐week training intervention with 83% mean attendance of training sessions. The intensity of the PA level increased and a decrease in fat mass of 1.9 ± 2.4 kg, P < 0.001 and WC of 3 ± 5 cm, P = 0.009 were observed. Enjoyment of training sessions was 3.9 out of 5, and no differences in QoL were found.

Conclusion

A web‐based training programme is an effective tool for improving health parameters of people with ID and offers a new way for caregivers to enhance the PA for the target group.
Laser‐based sample preparation for high‐resolution X‐ray‐computed tomography of glasses and glass ceramics
Authors: Krause Michael , Thieme Christian , Schusser Georg , Höche Thomas
Published: October 2022

X‐ray‐computed tomography with sub‐micron resolution (nano‐CT) is one of the most useful techniques to examine the 3D microstructure of materials down to voxel sizes 10 nm. However, since size and shape of samples have considerable influence on acquisition time and data quality, adapted and universally applicable workflows are needed. Three novel workflows for sample preparation using ultra‐short pulsed lasers are presented which allow for reproducible fabrication, safe extraction and mounting of samples. Their application potential is illustrated via nano‐CT measurements of glass ceramics as well as a laser‐modified glass. Since the according sample geometries take also the requirements of other analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy into account, samples prepared according to the new workflows can be furthermore seen as a starting point for correlative microstructural analyses involving multiple techniques.
Telehealth during the pandemic: Patient perceptions and policy implications
Authors: Crouch Jacob , Winters Karen , Zhang Lei , Stewart Mary W.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Telehealth's potential to improve access to specialty health care, increase favorable patient outcomes, and save money demands attention. Unfortunately, patients often fail to embrace telehealth. The COVID‐19 pandemic fueled greater telehealth usage globally. Little is known about patient perceptions of telehealth in the context of a pandemic. Therefore, we sought to understand patient perceptions of telehealth during the COVID‐19 pandemic and explore relevant policy implications.

Design

Researchers used a cross‐sectional, non‐experimental design to survey 366 patients across two telehealth programs at a Mississippi academic health sciences center between November 1, 2021 and November 15, 2021.

Methods

As part of a larger, psychometric study on patient acceptance of telehealth, participants rated the item, “The COVID‐19 pandemic has made me more open to using telehealth” on a 5‐point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Means of the different groups were analyzed using independent t‐test and one‐way ANOVA with Bonferroni post‐hoc multiple comparisons.

Results

Of the total participants, 73% (n = 366) either agreed or strongly agreed that the COVID‐19 pandemic had made them more open to using telehealth. Significant differences existed by age (p = 0.016), race/ethnicity (p = 0.015), and sex (p < 0.001), however, groups did not differ by age during post‐hoc analysis. A significant difference in the mean responses was observed between black participants (M = 4.29) and white participants (M = 3.91; p = 0.011). In addition, female participants (M = 4.11) rated the item higher than male participants (M = 3.65).

Conclusion

As access to telehealth increased due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, patients' perceptions to telehealth seem to have shifted in the positive direction as well. Findings may be used to support expansion of telehealth and advocacy for patients in a variety of settings.

Clinical Relevance

Study findings indicate that participants of telehealth are more open to using telehealth due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Implementing telehealth should be a priority to increase access to care for those who have limited access to specialty care, and policymakers should advocate to decrease barriers to telehealth within their institutions.
Efficacy of the continuous use of a lotion with carbon dioxide on male subjects with mild acne
Authors: Kiyozuka Aiko , Kajiyama Asami , Ootsuki Rie , Hosokawa Masaru , Miyaki Masahiro , Takagi Yutaka
Published: October 2022

Objective

Acne vulgaris is caused by dyslipidemia, dyskeratosis and/or abnormal bacterial growth. The obstruction of skin pores due to hyperkeratosis of the infundibulum contributes to the formation of comedones. Thus, normalizing keratinization of epidermal cells in skin pores might be useful to improve acne. Recently, it has been found that the transcutaneous application of carbon dioxide (CO2) regulates imbalances of the desquamatory process. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a skin lotion containing CO2 on mild acne.

Methods

Twenty‐four healthy Japanese males (20–29 years old) with mild acne attended this evaluation. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, one group used a skin lotion containing CO2 and the other group used a skin lotion without CO2. Following facial washing, each subject topically applied the skin lotion with or without CO2 twice a day for 4 weeks. Prior to the start of the evaluation (week 0) and following 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, acne symptoms were assessed by a dermatologist and by instrumental measurements.

Results

Topical application of the skin lotion with CO2 for 4 weeks significantly improved acne symptoms, which was recognized by the subjects. However, treatment with the skin lotion without CO2 did not improve acne symptoms. This improvement of acne symptoms by CO2 was not accompanied by changes in sebum levels, skin surface pH, skin capacitance, or porphyrin levels.

Conclusion

The transcutaneous application of a lotion with CO2 improves acne symptoms by normalizing keratinization without affecting skin surface conditions.
Autoimmune‐mediated encephalitis and mimics: A neuroimaging review
Authors: Liang Conan , Chu Eleanor , Kuoy Edward , Soun Jennifer E.
Published: October 2022

Autoimmune encephalitis is a category of autoantibody‐mediated neurological disorders that often presents a diagnostic challenge due to its variable clinical and imaging findings. The purpose of this image‐based review is to provide an overview of the major subtypes of autoimmune encephalitis and their associated autoantibodies, discuss their characteristic clinical and imaging features, and highlight several disease processes that may mimic imaging findings of autoimmune encephalitis. A literature search on autoimmune encephalitis was performed and publications from neuroradiology, neurology, and nuclear medicine literature were included. Cases from our institutional database that best exemplify major imaging features were presented.
Intergenerational contact during and beyond COVID‐19
Authors: Drury Lisbeth , Abrams Dominic , Swift Hannah J.
Published: October 2022

Intergenerational contact is crucial for promoting intergenerational harmony and reducing ageism. However, the COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted and changed the nature and frequency of intergenerational contact. In addition, research suggests that both ageism towards older adults and intergenerational threat regarding succession and consumption, have increased. Through the lens of the Temporally Integrated Model of Intergroup Contact and Threat (TIMICAT; Abrams & Eller, 2016), we explore the implications of these changing dynamics on ageism towards older adults during and beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic. Our review reveals that research into intergenerational contact needs to articulate both the time course and salience of contact and threats before making predictions about their impacts on prejudice. The implications of understanding how contact and threat combine to affect ageism for policy and practice are discussed in relation to employment, education, and intergenerational contact programs. We highlight that policy makers play a key role in promoting intergenerational harmony through the reduction of narratives that inflame intergenerational tensions and threat.