bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How ethical are my millennials? A qualitative study
Authors: Sharma Swati
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to probe millennials on their perceptions towards consumer ethics and to generate new insights in the realm of consumer behaviour. Millennials constitute a big fraction of the total consumer base with immense buying power. Therefore, the exploration of the ethical perspective of millennials is of vital importance for organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a grounded theory approach to explore the subjective experiences of consumers and draws insights from the data following an interpretivist epistemology.

Findings

The findings revealed five prominent themes that throw light on the consumer’s ethical orientations. The findings extend Hunt Vettel’s theoretical framework and ethical relativism.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by the small sample of millennials studied.

Practical implications

The paper advances the Hunt Vittel theoretical framework of ethics and provides insights into the deontological and teleological evaluations of millennials while making ethical decisions. The study adds to the existing research on millennials materialism and ethical orientation. The organizations get an insight into the ethical perceptions of millennials. The findings reinforce the consumer’s perceived importance of adoption of green practices by the organizations. The organization’s investment in green practices precipitate a favourable image of the organization among the millennials.

Originality/value

Literature in ethics is replete with studies adopting positivist methodologies. This paper is unique as it shuns the methodological bias and adopts a grounded theory approach to study new age digitally savvy millennial consumers.
Money laundering and sanctions enforcement: large rewards, leniency and witness protection for whistleblowers
Authors: Nyreröd Theo , Andreadakis Stelios , Spagnolo Giancarlo
Published: July 2022

Purpose

With sanctions becoming an increasingly important tool in ostracising autocratic regimes from western markets, the need for effective enforcement of sanctions and anti-money laundering (AML) is increasing, and the global AML regime will be the backbone to detecting evasion of sanctions. This regime, however, has been widely criticised as ineffective. This paper aims to discuss issues with the current sanctions/AML regime and propose a reward scheme for whistleblowers to enable asset seizures that is not reliant on its effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews weaknesses in the global AML regime, provide suggestions on how to design whistleblower reward programmes, based on agency experience and empirical evidence, as well as elaborate on how to use such programmes in the AML context.

Findings

This study concludes that for reward programmes to be effective in the context of AML and sanctions enforcement, they need to include witness protection and leniency for money launderers, though not for those convicted of a criminal offence associated with the predicate crime. Moreover, rewards should be mandatory and scale with the amount of money seized or confiscated, and the cap on monetary rewards should be higher than it is under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards Programme in the USA.

Originality/value

In contrast to how the USA went about implementing rewards in this area under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards Programme, this study argues that these programmes should be designed differently. This study also provides novel advice to governments on different design dimensions in the AML context and a model with three crucial pillars along with other design dimensions that should be considered.
Implementation of a blended learning course for adult learners during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Luka Ineta
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate a culture-based blended learning multilingual course created for adult learners in ten languages and the development of learners’ 21st-century skills during its implementation in six European countries – Croatia, Latvia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland and Czechia in the COVID-19 period.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey of 638 participants was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out applying Bereday’s four-step model comprising description, interpretation, juxtaposition and comparison to find out similarities and differences among various groups of learners.

Findings

Overall, learners have developed their 21st-century skills, but the improvement has not been the same for all target audiences. Learners with economic, social and cultural barriers were more positive in their evaluation than those with geographic and learning obstacles.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the face-to-face stage was replaced with online learning on virtual platforms, which impacted the research results. The results cannot be generalized to all adult learners as significant differences were discovered among various target groups of learners.

Practical implications

The course may be implemented for formal and non-formal adult education when face-to-face teaching/learning is restricted.

Social implications

The findings indicate that the course is especially suitable for learners with economic, social and cultural obstacles to learning.

Originality/value

The article focuses on the use of blended learning in non-formal/informal adult education, which is a less widely researched area. The target course implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic shows a novel way of engaging adult learners in lifelong learning, including those with certain barriers to learning.
Effect of ionic silver solution on Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) quality and shelf life
Authors: Prajapati Soham , Kumar Malladevanahalli Huchegowda Sathish , Hosapalya Chikkathimmaiah Devaraja , Rao Kulkarni Jayaraj , Shaik Abdul Hussain , Champalli Shankara Reddy Rajani , Sabikhi Latha
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to extend the shelf life of Paneer using ionic silver solution (ISS). ISS was prepared using the electrochemical method and characterised. ISS with 17 mg/L was selected, based on colour stability and added along with coagulant during Paneer preparation. Its effect on the quality parameters and shelf life of Paneer was evaluated. ISS significantly (P ˂ 0.05) delayed acidity development, free fatty acid production and microbial growth during storage of Paneer, while it had no significant effect on the textural quality of Paneer. ISS treatment extended the shelf life of Paneer from 12 to 18 days at 6 ± 1°C.
Grip endurance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Its relationship between clinical characteristics, upper extremity functional disability, and quality of life
Authors: Köprülüoğlu Melissa , Naz İlknur , Otman Eda , Solmaz Dilek , Akar Servet
Published: July 2022

Aim

The study’s aim was to investigate the relationship of grip strength and endurance with clinical characteristics, upper extremity functional disability, and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Method

We included 45 RA patients and 37 healthy controls in this cross‐sectional study. All participants were evaluated using the maximal gripping test, static and dynamic grip endurance test, the Disability of Arm, Shoulder Hand Questionnaire, and Short Form‐36, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded.

Results

Moderate to strong correlations were found between functional disability and all of the grip‐related variables. Physical, emotional, and social function sub‐scores were correlated with grip strength on both sides and dynamic endurance on the dominant side.

Conclusion

The study highlights grip‐related variables associated with disability of the upper extremity. The grip strength was related to hand‐wrist pain but not other clinical characteristics. Furthermore, grip strength on both sides and dynamic grip endurance on the dominant side were associated with some quality of life sub‐scores. While therapists create a rehabilitation plan for RA patients, based on our findings, it may be beneficial to maximize therapeutic benefits on daily life and quality of life.
Age‐friendly interventions in rural and remote areas: A scoping review
Authors: Montayre Jed , Foster Jann , Zhao Ivy Yan , Kong Ariana , Leung Angela Y. M. , Molassiotis Alex , Officer Alana , Mikton Christopher , Neville Stephen
Published: July 2022

Objectives

In 2007, the World Health Organization published a guide on age‐friendly cities. However, little is known about interventions that have been implemented to promote age‐friendly communities in rural and remote areas. This paper presents the findings from a scoping review undertaken to locate available evidence of interventions, strategies, and programs that have been implemented in rural and remote areas to create age‐friendly communities.

Methods

This scoping review used the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology.

Results

A total of 219 articles were included in this review. No intervention studies were referred to as ‘age‐friendly’. However, there were interventions (mostly healthcare‐related) that have been implemented in rural and remote areas with older people as participants. There were also non‐evaluated community programs that were published in the grey literature. This review identified the common health interventions in older people and the indirect relevance to the WHO age‐friendly framework domains in rural and remote contexts.

Conclusions

The eight age‐friendly domains were not explicitly utilised as a guide in the development of interventions for older people in rural and remote settings. Implementation of age‐friendly interventions in rural and remote areas requires a multisectoral approach that is tailored to address the specific needs of individual communities. Age‐friendly interventions also need to consider socio‐ecological factors to adequately and holistically address community needs and ensure long‐term sustainability.
Bayesian non‐parametric spatial prior for traffic crash risk mapping: A case study of Victoria, Australia
Authors: Durand J.‐B. , Forbes F. , Phan C.D. , Truong L. , Nguyen H.D. , Dama F.
Published: July 2022

We develop a Bayesian non‐parametric (BNP) model coupled with Markov random fields (MRFs) for risk mapping, to infer homogeneous spatial regions in terms of risks. In contrast to most existing methods, the proposed approach does not require an arbitrary commitment to a specified number of risk classes and determines their risk levels automatically. We consider settings in which the relevant information are counts and propose a so‐called BNP hidden MRF (BNP‐HMRF) model that is able to handle such data. The model inference is carried out using a variational Bayes expectation–maximisation algorithm and the approach is illustrated on traffic crash data in the state of Victoria, Australia. The obtained results corroborate well with the traffic safety literature. More generally, the model presented here for risk mapping offers an effective, convenient and fast way to conduct partition of spatially localised count data.
Classic drugs in the time of new drugs: real‐world, long‐term outcomes of thiopurine monotherapy in 1016 patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Rezazadeh Ardabili Ashkan , Jeuring Steven , Mujagic Zlatan , Oostenbrug Liekele , Romberg‐Camps Mariëlle , Jonkers Daisy , van Bodegraven Adriaan , Pierik Marieke
Published: July 2022

Background

Thiopurines remain recommended as maintenance therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite their widespread use, long‐term effectiveness data are sparse and safety is an increasingly debated topic which thwarts proper delineation in the current IBD treatment algorithm.

Aims

To document effectiveness and safety of thiopurine monotherapy in patients with IBD, using the population‐based IBD South‐Limburg (IBDSL) cohort

Methods

All patients starting thiopurine monotherapy as maintenance between 1991 and 2014 were included. Therapy was defined as effective if there was no escalation to biologicals, no course of corticosteroids, no surgery and no hospitalisation for active disease during treatment. Long‐term effectiveness was assessed by adjusting for differences in follow‐up using Kaplan–Meier analyses. Mid‐ to long‐term safety regarding cancer incidence and clinically relevant liver disease was documented.

Results

In total, 1016 patients (643 Crohn's disease [CD]; 373 ulcerative colitis [UC]) received thiopurine monotherapy at a median of 15.2 (Q1‐Q3 4.2–48.5) months after diagnosis. During follow‐up, effectiveness rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 64%, 45%, 32%, respectively, in CD and and 66%, 41%, 36%, respectively in UC. No statistically significant differences in effectiveness were observed after stratification for era of initiation (pre‐biological vs biological, CD: p = 0.56; UC: p = 0.43). Sixteen non‐melanoma skin cancers (incidence rate [IR] 3.33/1000 PY), five lymphomas (IR 1.04/1000 PY) and one urinary tract cancer (IR 0.21/1000 PY) were recorded. Two cases of portal hypertension were identified.

Conclusion

In real‐world practice, thiopurine monotherapy remains effective, safe and durable for patients with CD or UC, including in the era of biologics.
Children's anxiety, academic self‐efficacy, and intergenerational transmission of worries regarding the transition to middle school
Authors: Măirean Cornelia , Zancu Alexandra S. , Diaconu‐Gherasim Loredana R.
Published: July 2022

Background

Worries about school transition were related to poor academic adjustment during middle school. However, limited studies simultaneously investigated individual and contextual factors that may shape the children's reaction related to transition.

Aims

The first aim of this present study was to assess how children's anxiety and academic self‐efficacy, including the parents' worries about school transition, are related to children's worries regarding the transition from primary to middle school. Our second aim was to explore the moderating role of children's academic self‐efficacy in the relation to children's anxiety symptoms and children's worries.

Materials & Methods

A sample of 292 fourth‐grade children (Mage = 10.43; 53.4% girls) completed scales assessing their anxiety, academic self‐efficacy and worries about the transition to middle school. Parents also filled out a scale assessing the worries regarding their children's transition from primary to middle school.

Results

The results show that children's anxiety is positively related to their worries about the transition to middle school, whereas children's academic self‐efficacy is negatively related to their worries. Parents' worries regarding their children's school transition are positively related to their children's worries regarding the transition. Furthermore, academic self‐efficacy moderates the relation between children's anxiety and their worries about school transition.

Conclusion

Children with lower levels of anxiety reported lower worries for the transition when their academic self‐efficacy was higher, whereas children with higher anxiety reported higher worries for school transition at every level of self‐efficacy. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings for successful school transition are discussed.
Teenage Pregnancy and Neoliberal Subjectivity in Mexican Television Series La Rosa de Guadalupe
Authors: Ogden Rebecca
Published: July 2022

This article examines teenage pregnancy narratives in Televisa's La Rosa de Guadalupe, Mexico's most‐watched television programme. Adolescent pregnancy in Mexico is considered a pressing social and political challenge, cutting across broader efforts by the state to regulate population growth and lower maternal morbidity during the second half of the twentieth century. The series models personal sexual responsibility and ‘good’ motherhood yet simultaneously confirms the Virgen de Guadalupe as intercessor in complex social issues in Mexico. Didacticism towards responsibilisation confirms modern, neoliberal subjectivity, but obscures the socio‐economic conditions within which those complex social issues are embedded – conditions themselves shaped by neoliberal policy.
Weapons and tactics: A story of parents with learning disabilities maintaining family integrity
Authors: Stefánsdóttir Sara , Sigurjónsdóttir Hanna Björg , Rice James
Published: July 2022

Background

Many parents with learning disabilities find themselves locked in a struggle with child protection authorities to retain custody of their children. This struggle is one against deeply entrenched prejudices as well as social arrangements that often deprive parents of needed resources. This in‐depth case study explores the contours of such a struggle, and the ‘tools' deployed by one couple to keep child protection at bay. The goal is first to give the parents a platform to tell their stories. The second is to help inform the knowledge base of parents, advocates and allied professionals. The third is to consider the impacts the developing disability rights environment is having upon these ongoing struggles.

Method

This is a qualitative case study based on interview and document analysis and long‐term involvement with a couple with learning disabilities. The material was coded according to the principles of grounded theory.

Findings

Three key categories were identified. The first is ‘Lessons learned', referring to the knowledge and experience that the parents collected over a lifetime. The second is ‘Allies: The family', highlighting the importance of a strong family network. The third is ‘Secret weapons', a phrase used by the parents to denote a collection of advocates and professional supporters they strategically surrounded themselves with when needed.

Conclusion

This story illustrates the parents' tactical skill and resourcefulness to retain custody of their children. We also document the addition of new tools the parents are able to make use of such as domestic disability and human rights protections that are in turn supported by international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, we also contend that families like theirs live in a state of fragility, and disruptions to their support can result in further child protection interventions.
The interplay of financial education, financial inclusion and financial stability and the role of Big Tech
Authors: Jonker Nicole , Kosse Anneke
Published: July 2022

The entry of Big Techs in the financial ecosystem might affect financial stability, among others through the opportunities and challenges they create for financial inclusion. We survey the literature to determine the effectiveness of financial education in improving financial literacy and inclusion and assess the impact of financial inclusion on financial stability. We argue for new research to determine whether financial education can help people to reap the financial‐inclusion benefits that Big Tech may bring. We also conclude that financial‐inclusion opportunities created by Big Tech might introduce financial stability risks and underline the importance of proper supervision and regulation.
Application of a trait‐based climate change vulnerability assessment to determine management priorities at protected area scale
Authors: Harper Jack R. M. , van Wilgen Nicola J. , Turner Andrew A. , Tolley Krystal A. , Maritz Bryan , Clusella‐Trullas Susana , da Silva Jessica M. , Cunningham Susan J. , Cheney Chad , de Villiers Atherton L. , Measey John , Foden Wendy
Published: July 2022

Estimating and planning for the impacts of climate change on the biodiversity of protected areas is a major challenge for conservation managers. When these areas are topographically heterogenous and contain species' entire ranges, this challenge is exacerbated because the coarse spatial scales of Global Circulation Model projections provide limited information for within‐park management. South Africa's Table Mountain National Park, home to three endemic amphibian species in just ~24,500 hectares, provides a case study for identifying conservation needs under climate change. Selecting the park's herpetofauna as pilot taxa, we identified life history and demographic characteristics believed to make species more sensitive and less able to adapt to climate change. We organized these into assessment frameworks and, through a combination of literature review and expert elicitation, reviewed and used them to assess climate change vulnerability of 18 amphibian and 41 reptile species. The assessment highlighted that 73% and 67% of the park's reptile and amphibian species, respectively, had at least one high‐sensitivity and low‐adaptive capacity trait. Using ordinal and additive scoring methods, we identified the species most vulnerable to climate change and highlight the park areas containing their highest concentrations. These areas will be used to inform landscape‐scale management priorities and park use zones. The current IUCN Red List assessments for these species do not incorporate climate change vulnerability. Considering some species appear to be threatened by climate change, their conservation needs might be underestimated. Identifying the most vulnerable species and the mechanisms underpinning their vulnerability can guide the identification and prioritization of conservation needs, while the highlighted knowledge gaps inform priorities for monitoring and research. While comprehensive climate change adaptation planning for Table Mountain National Park requires additional assessment of other taxonomic groups, this trait‐based assessment example highlights a viable tool for assessing climate change vulnerability in protected areas.
Reconceptualization of Coefficient Alpha Reliability for Test Summed and Scaled Scores
Authors: Almehrizi Rashid S.
Published: July 2022

Coefficient alpha reliability persists as the most common reliability coefficient reported in research. The assumptions for its use are, however, not well‐understood. The current paper challenges the commonly used expressions of coefficient alpha and argues that while these expressions are correct when estimating reliability for summed scores, they are not appropriate to extend coefficient alpha to correctly estimate the reliability for nonlinearly transformed scaled scores such as percentile ranks and stanines. The current paper reconceptualizes coefficient alpha as a complement of the ratio of two unbiased estimates of the summed score variance. These include conditional summed score variance assuming uncorrelated item scores (gives the error score variance) and unconditional summed score variance incorporating intercorrelated item scores (gives the observed score variance). Using this reconceptualization, a new equation of coefficient generalized alpha is introduced for scaled scores. Coefficient alpha is a special case of this new equation since the latter reduces to coefficinet alpha if the scaled scores are the summed scores themselves. Two applications (cognitive and psychological assessments) are used to compare the performance (estimation and bootstrap confidence interval) of the reliability coefficients for different scaled scores. Results support the new equation of coefficient generalized alpha and compare it to coefficient generalized beta for parallel test forms. Coefficient generalized alpha produced different reliability values, which were larger than coefficient generalized beta for different scaled scores.
Temperature variability interacts with mean temperature to influence the predictability of microbial phenotypes
Authors: Fu Fei‐Xue , Tschitschko Bernhard , Hutchins David A. , Larsson Michaela E. , Baker Kirralee G. , McInnes Allison , Kahlke Tim , Verma Arjun , Murray Shauna A. , Doblin Martina A.
Published: July 2022

Despite their relatively high thermal optima (Topt), tropical taxa may be particularly vulnerable to a rising baseline and increased temperature variation because they live in relatively stable temperatures closer to their Topt. We examined how microbial eukaryotes with differing thermal histories responded to temperature fluctuations of different amplitudes (0 control, ±2, ±4°C) around mean temperatures below or above their Topt. Cosmopolitan dinoflagellates were selected based on their distinct thermal traits and included two species of the same genus (tropical and temperate Coolia spp.), and two strains of the same species maintained at different temperatures for >500 generations (tropical Amphidinium massartii control temperature and high temperature, CT and HT, respectively). There was a universal decline in population growth rate under temperature fluctuations, but strains with narrower thermal niche breadth (temperate Coolia and HT) showed ~10% greater reduction in growth. At suboptimal mean temperatures, cells in the cool phase of the fluctuation stopped dividing, fixed less carbon (C) and had enlarged cell volumes that scaled positively with elemental C, N, and P and C:Chlorophyll‐a. However, at a supra‐optimal mean temperature, fixed C was directed away from cell division and novel trait combinations developed, leading to greater phenotypic diversity. At the molecular level, heat‐shock proteins, and chaperones, in addition to transcripts involving genome rearrangements, were upregulated in CT and HT during the warm phase of the supra‐optimal fluctuation (30 ± 4°C), a stress response indicating protection. In contrast, the tropical Coolia species upregulated major energy pathways in the warm phase of its supra‐optimal fluctuation (25 ± 4°C), indicating a broadscale shift in metabolism. Our results demonstrate divergent effects between taxa and that temporal variability in environmental conditions interacts with changes in the thermal mean to mediate microbial responses to global change, with implications for biogeochemical cycling.
Long‐term cultivation of Miscanthus and switchgrass accelerates soil organic carbon accumulation by decreasing carbon mineralization in infertile red soil
Authors: Fu Tongcheng , Xu Yi , Hou Wei , Yi Zili , Xue Shuai
Published: July 2022

Perennial energy crops (PECs) such as Miscanthus spp. and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) may have particular influence on microbial communities and their functions in soil organic carbon (C) utilization and mineralization (Cm). In this study, long‐term effects of PECs on Cm and soil hydrolase activities were examined in bulk and rhizosphere soils of Miscanthus and switchgrass grown on a red soil in South China. Long‐term cultivation (10 years) of PECs led to increases in soil organic C (SOC) and the absolute Cm of bulk and rhizosphere soils. Total Cm was correlated with dissolved organic C and dissolved organic nitrogen (N) in red soils. The specific Cm in bulk soils of switchgrass and Miscanthus were decreased by 11.73% and 20.67% comparing with the control group, respectively. Cultivation of PECs led to a relatively high C/N ratio. There was a difference in priming effect on activities of β‐glucosidase (BG), leucine amin peptidase, N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase (NAG), and phosphatase between rhizosphere and bulk soils. Compared with the control without PECs, BG activity did not change significantly in bulk soils of PECs, whereas NAG activity decreased significantly. Soil microorganisms were generally limited by soil C and phosphorus (P) in the red soil. The C and P limitations were significantly linearly related with relative Cm (p < 0.05). Phosphorus limitations in microbial communities were lower with PECs than in the control, indicating that cultivation of PECs could provide an optimal nutrient environment for both plants and microorganisms. Thus, long‐term cultivation of PECs increased SOC content but decreased specific Cm rates. However, because C and P limitations remain for plants and soil microbial communities, optimum fertilization is also necessary for sustainable growth of PECs on red soils.
Targeting cancer stemness mediated by BMI1 and MCL1 for non‐small cell lung cancer treatment
Authors: Lin Erh‐Hsuan , Hsu Jhen‐Wei , Lee Ting‐Fang , Hsu Chiung‐Fang , Lin Tsung‐Hsien , Jan Yi‐Hua , Chang Hsiang‐Yi , Cheng Chun‐Ming , Hsu Hui‐Jan , Chen Wei‐Wei , Chen Bo‐Hung , Tsai Hsing‐Fang , Li Jung‐Jung , Huang Chi‐Ying , Chuang Shih‐Hsien , Chang Jia‐Ming , Hsiao Michael , Wu Cheng‐Wen
Published: July 2022

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐associated death, with a global 5‐year survival rate <20%. Early metastasis and recurrence remain major challenges for lung cancer treatment. The stemness property of cancer cells has been suggested to play a key role in cancer plasticity, metastasis and drug‐resistance, and is a potential target for drug development. In this study, we found that in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), BMI1 and MCL1 play crucial roles of cancer stemness including invasion, chemo‐resistance and tumour initiation. JNK signalling serves as a link between oncogenic pathway or genotoxicity to cancer stemness. The activation of JNK, either by mutant EGFR or chemotherapy agent, stabilized BMI1 and MCL1 proteins through suppressing the expression of E3‐ubiquitin ligase HUWE1. In lung cancer patient samples, high level of BMI1 is correlated with poor survival, and the expression of BMI1 is positively correlated with MCL1. A novel small‐molecule, BI‐44, was developed, which effectively suppressed BMI1/MCL1 expressions and inhibited tumour formation and progression in preclinical models. Targeting cancer stemness mediated by BMI1/MCL1 with BI‐44 provides the basis for a new therapeutic approach in NSCLC treatment.
Updates for hyperglycemia in pregnancy: The ongoing journey for maternal–neonatal health
Authors: Li Hung‐Yuan , Sheu Wayne Huey‐Herng
Published: July 2022

We summarize updates of hyperglycemia in pregnancy as well as debate of diagnosis of criteria of gestational diabetes. We also point out several unsovled issues of gestataional diabetes that remain further investigations.
Poor glycemic control rather than types of diabetes is a risk factor for sarcopenia in diabetes mellitus: The MUSCLES‐DM study
Authors: Hiromine Yoshihisa , Noso Shinsuke , Rakugi Hiromi , Sugimoto Ken , Takata Yasunori , Katsuya Tomohiro , Fukuda Masahiro , Akasaka Hiroshi , Osawa Haruhiko , Tabara Yasuharu , Ikegami Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

Aims/Introduction

Though poor glycemic control and insulin treatment are reported to be associated with sarcopenia in type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes may be a stronger risk for sarcopenia. We therefore studied the effect of the type of diabetes, glycemic control, and insulin therapy on the prevalence and characteristics of sarcopenia.

Materials and Methods

A total of 812 Japanese patients with diabetes (type 1: n = 57; type 2: n = 755) were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia was defined as low handgrip strength or slow gait speed and low appendicular skeletal muscle mass.

Results

Among participants aged ≥65 years, the sarcopenia prevalence rate was higher among patients with type 1 diabetes (20.0%) than among those with type 2 diabetes (8.1%). The prevalence rate of low handgrip strength was higher in type 1 diabetes (50.0%) than in type 2 diabetes (28.7%). In logistic regression analysis, type 1 diabetes was significantly associated with the prevalence of low handgrip strength. In logistic regression analysis, medication with insulin was significantly associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia; this association was not retained after adjusting for HbA1c.

Conclusions

The prevalence of sarcopenia in older adult patients was higher in those with type 1 diabetes than in those with type 2 diabetes. Among the components of sarcopenia, the difference was most prominent in the frequency of low handgrip strength. Poor glycemic control rather than type of diabetes or insulin treatment was revealed to be a primary risk factor for sarcopenia in diabetes mellitus.
Adults with concomitant atopic dermatitis and asthma have more frequent urgent healthcare utilization and less frequent scheduled follow‐up visits than adults with atopic dermatitis or asthma only: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Ali Z. , Egeberg A. , Thyssen J.P. , Ulrik C.S. , Thomsen S.F.
Published: July 2022

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma often co‐occur in the same patient, and healthcare utilization is related to disease severity of these diseases.

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate differences in healthcare utilization in adults with concomitant AD and asthma compared to patients with asthma or AD only.

Methods

All Danish adults with a hospital diagnosis of AD, asthma or concomitant AD, and asthma recorded in national registries were included. Healthcare utilization data were obtained in 3‐month intervals from 2 years prior to index date (the date of the first hospital diagnosis) and to 5 years after.

Results

A total of 12 409 patients with AD were included (11 590 with AD only and 819 with concomitant AD and asthma), and 65 539 with asthma only.

Adults with concomitant AD and asthma had higher risk of hospitalization for AD (OR 1.38, 95% CI (1.15–1.67), P = 0.001) and asthma (OR 1.16, 95% CI (1.00–1.35), P = 0.047) compared to patients with only AD and asthma, respectively. These patients also had fewer visits in outpatient clinics for AD (OR 0.10, 95% CI (0.08–0.12), P < 0.001) and asthma (OR 0.34, 95% CI (0.29–0.39), P < 0.001) compared to patients with only AD or asthma. Outpatient clinic visits for rhinitis were more frequent among patients with concomitant AD and asthma compared to patients with only AD or asthma.

Conclusion

Adults with concomitant AD and asthma had different patterns of healthcare utilization compared to adults with AD or asthma alone, suggesting that improvements in management and monitoring may reduce unscheduled healthcare visits and lower healthcare costs.
Industrial manufacture of fruit decorated rice puddings–An overview
Authors: Sompolski Marcin , Hefft Daniel Ingo
Published: July 2022

Rice pudding is a popular dessert that is eaten across the globe. Variations include the TurkishSutlaç, GermanMilchreis, and IndianKheer. This review article presents the industrial manufacture of a fruit topped rice pudding. Special emphases have been laid onto the process flow, key equipment, and critical control points. This review covers the entire manufacturing chain from product intake to packaged good and will relate back to key industrial equipment required to achieve a unit operation. Further, environmental considerations have been reflected upon.

Practical Applications

This review addresses a gap in the literature compiling a comprehensive overview on the manufacture of rice puddings. To compile such a review knowledge must be drawn from dairy processing, grain technology and, given this particular work considers decoration, fruit processing. However, rice pudding is an internationally enjoyed dessert, therefore, it has been deemed as useful to compile this knowledge for the wider food process engineering community.
Convective and pulsed microwave drying of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) shreds: Kinetic modeling, retention of bio‐actives, and oil yield
Authors: Potdar Pratik Pandit , Kaur Preetinder , Zalpouri Ruchika , Ummat Viruja
Published: July 2022

An experimental study was conducted to assess the drying kinetics of lemongrass shreds, dried using two different drying methods and retention of bioactive compounds in the dried lemongrass. Convective drying (CD) was carried out at 45°C for 7 h, whereas during pulsed microwave drying (PMD), lemongrass shreds were exposed to microwaves at 1350 W for 3‐3‐2‐1‐min pulsed intervals with a 30‐s pulse gap. Experimental data were fitted to three drying models, namely Lewis, Henderson and Pabis, and Page models, to determine the moisture ratio as a function of drying time. The bioactive compounds were analyzed before and after drying to assess the changes during the drying process. Pulsed microwave dried samples showed maximum retention of total chlorophyll: 13.85 mg/g, ascorbic acid: 17.80 mg/100 g, flavonoids: 2.64 mg/g, and highest antioxidant capacity of 74.02%. Moreover, microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) of these samples yielded 1.54% essential oil with a specific gravity of 0.89.

Novelty impact statement

The synergistic influence of PMD and MAHD process on the quality of dried lemongrass shreds has not been investigated earlier.

Polynomial fit‐MR and polynomial fit‐lnMR for moisture ratio were found to have the highest R2 values for both drying methods.

Retention of bioactive compounds was observed to be higher in PM dried samples compared with convective dried samples.
Mycoflora, aflatoxins, and antimicrobial properties of some Ghanaian local spices and herbs
Authors: Kortei Nii K. , Kumah Grace , Tettey Clement O. , Agyemang Alfred O. , Annan Theophilus , Nortey Nathaniel N. D. , Essuman Edward K. , Boakye Adjoa A.
Published: July 2022

Fungi are significant contaminants and destroyers of spices. This study aimed at determining the mycoflora, mycotoxins, contaminants, and antimicrobial properties of some local spices; dawadawa (Parkia biglobosa), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), turmeric (Curcuma longa), aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), ocimum (Ocimum basilicum), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum). Fungal culturing, identification, and enumeration were done with Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol (DRBC). High‐Performance Liquid Chromatographer with a Fluorescence detector (HPLC‐FLD) was used to determine the aflatoxin levels in all spices. Mueller‐Hinton Agar, chloramphenicol, normal saline, and extract were used with Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans to determine the antimicrobial activity of the spices (extracts). Twelve (12) fungal species belonging to seven (7) genera were recorded from the spices. The genera were predominantly; Aspergillus, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Mucor, Trichoderma, and Rhodotorula. Aflatoxins were detected in dawadawa only. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts had effective inhibition against the microbes investigated.
The association between plasma metabolites and future risk of all‐cause mortality
Authors: Yan Yingxiao , Smith Einar , Melander Olle , Ottosson Filip
Published: July 2022

Background

Metabolite profiles provide snapshots of the overall effect of numerous exposures accumulated over life courses, which may lead to health outcomes in the future.

Objective

We hypothesized that the risk of all‐cause mortality is linked to alterations in metabolism earlier in life, which are reflected in plasma metabolite profiles. We aimed to identify plasma metabolites associated with future risk of all‐cause mortality.

Methods

Through metabolomics, 110 metabolites were measured in 3833 individuals from the Malmö Diet and Cancer—Cardiovascular Cohort (MDC‐CC). A total of 1574 deaths occurred within an average follow‐up time of 22.2 years. Metabolites that were significantly associated with all‐cause mortality in MDC‐CC were replicated in 1500 individuals from Malmö Preventive Project re‐examination (MPP), among whom 715 deaths occurred within an average follow‐up time of 11.3 years.

Results

Twenty two metabolites were significantly associated with all‐cause mortality in MDC‐CC, of which 13 were replicated in MPP. Levels of trigonelline, glutamate, dimethylglycine, C18‐1‐carnitine, C16‐1‐carnitine, C14‐1‐carnitine, and 1‐methyladenosine were associated with an increased risk, while levels of valine, tryptophan, lysine, leucine, histidine, and 2‐aminoisobutyrate were associated with a decreased risk of all‐cause mortality.

Conclusion

We used metabolomics in two Swedish prospective cohorts and identified replicable associations between 13 metabolites and future risk of all‐cause mortality. Novel associations between five metabolites—C18‐1‐carnitine, C16‐1‐carnitine, C14‐1‐carnitine, trigonelline, and 2‐aminoisobutyrate—and all‐cause mortality were discovered. These findings suggest potential new biomarkers for the prediction of mortality and provide insights for understanding the biochemical pathways that lead to mortality.
Conjugal testamentary practices in Canada: The gendered effect of children from other unions
Authors: Pugliese Maude , Belleau Hélène , Biron‐Boileau Camille
Published: July 2022

Objective

This article explores the conjugal testamentary practices of married and cohabiting people aged 25–50 depending on having children from other unions, shared children, and gender.

Background

After the death of a partner, inheriting may reduce adverse financial consequences for the surviving spouse. However, the deceased's will defines whether or not the spouse inherits. Moreover, unmarried people may be less likely than the married to include their partner as one of their heirs, and parents (especially mothers) of children from previous unions may hesitate to bequeath to their current partner. Yet, conjugal testamentary practices remain understudied.

Method

Using data from Québec, Canada (N = 3052) and controlling for socio‐demographic factors, multinomial models explore the will status of cohabiting and married people and the position of partners as heirs depending on children situation and gender.

Results

Although most married people count their current partner as one of their heirs, only a minority of cohabitors do so. Also, cohabiting people with children from previous unions are less likely than those without to make their current partner an heir, especially if the couple has no shared children. In contrast, married women with children from previous unions are as likely as those without to include their spouse among their heirs, and married men are more likely to do so if they have children from a different union.

Conclusion

Results support the hypotheses of a matrilineal tilt in wealth transmissions as stepfamilies diffuse and of a “swapping families” effect of remarriage for men.
Salt reduction in potato chips using microparticulated salt and spices: A sensory study with consumers
Authors: De Assis Fernanda Santos , Rebellato Ana Paula , Pallone Juliana Azevedo Lima , Behrens Jorge Herman
Published: July 2022

This study aimed at reducing the amount of salt added to potato chips by decreasing the size of salt particles. First, a selected panel (n = 15 assessors) evaluated the saltiness of potato chips added with refined and microparticulated salt using the magnitude estimation. The amount of 1.6% of refined salt, previously determined as just‐about‐right in potato chips, was equivalent to 1.2% of microparticulated salt. Afterward, an acceptance test (n = 115 consumers) was performed with six samples of potato chips added with microparticulated salt, with successive reductions from 1.2% to 0%, combined with a seasoning made of powdered parsley and onion. Results showed that it is possible to reduce salt by up to 65% without a significant decrease (p > .05) in acceptance. In conclusion, microparticulated salt associated with the flavor‐enhancing power of traditional seasonings proved to be a valuable strategy to reduce sodium in snacks.

Practical Applications

Previous studies have proposed strategies to reduce salt added topically to snacks without combining sodium chloride (NaCl) with additives such as potassium chloride (KCl) and monosodium glutamate (MSG). This study demonstrated, using a trained panel on magnitude scale, that decreasing the size of salt particles by a simple sieving process made it possible to reduce 25% of the salt added to potato chips. Further reduction was possible by combining microparticulated salt with powdered onion and parsley without a significant (p > .05) drop in consumer's acceptance (N = 115). The strategy not only makes snacks healthier but also improves flavor and keeps the product's clean label, which is a demand of the consumer.
How do dental students perceive the role of dental professionals?
Authors: Shah Astha , Dempster Laura , Singhal Sonica , Quiñonez Carlos
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To explore dental students' perceptions of the role of dental professionals as healthcare providers and/or businesspersons.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey collected information from undergraduate dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto (N = 430). PPR was assessed through a visual analog scale (VAS) question, with the two ends labeled as “Healthcare Provider” (0) and “Business Person” (100), which asked respondents to point where they perceived dental professionals to be. Association of students' PPR with environmental, institutional and student‐related factors was investigated using Chi‐square and Spearman's correlation tests and logistic regression. Additionally, information on students' professional attitudes was gathered using: (i) the same VAS question, which asked students what they themselves aspired to be; and (ii) level of agreement with two sets of Likert‐type questions highlighting healthcare provider and businessperson attitudes.

Results

The survey yielded a response rate of 51.4% (n = 221). The majority of respondents perceived dental professionals as healthcare providers and aspired to be healthcare providers themselves. Results of multivariable logistic regression suggested that perceiving dental professionals as businesspersons was significantly associated with perceiving future patients as consumers. Those who strongly agreed with healthcare provider statements had lesser odds of perceiving dental professionals as businesspersons.

Conclusion

In this sample of students, perceptions of professionalism appear to be congruent with the normative role of dental professionals as healthcare providers. Dental education should prepare graduates who strongly identify with this role even in the presence of dental care market pressures.
Characterization of the urogenital microbiome in Miniature Schnauzers with and without calcium oxalate urolithiasis
Authors: Coffey Emily L. , Gomez Andres M. , Burton Erin N. , Granick Jennifer L. , Lulich Jody P. , Furrow Eva
Published: July 2022

Background

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths are common in dogs. Humans with CaOx urolithiasis exhibit alterations of the urinary and urogenital microbiomes that might mediate urolith formation. Detection of urogenital microbes associated with CaOx in dogs could inform disease pathophysiology.

Objective

To identify compositional differences in the urogenital microbiome of Miniature Schnauzers with and without CaOx uroliths.

Animals

Nineteen midstream, voided urine samples from Miniature Schnauzers with (n = 9) and without (n = 10) a history of CaOx urolithiasis.

Methods

Analytical cross‐sectional study. Microbial DNA was extracted from previously frozen urine samples and sequenced for the bacterial 16S rRNA V3‐V4 hypervariable regions. Diversity and composition of microbial populations were compared between urolith formers and controls.

Results

Alpha and beta diversity measures were similar between groups. Five individual bacterial taxa differed in abundance (indicator values >0.5 and P < .05): Acinetobacter, 2 Geobacillus variants, and Hydrogenophaga were overrepresented in the urine of urolith formers, and Sphingopyxis was overrepresented in controls. Two distinct subtypes of urine microbial composition were observed based on beta diversity measures, independent of urolith status, and other clinical variables.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although we did not detect a difference in the overall urogenital microbial composition between groups, observed differences in individual bacterial taxa might be clinically relevant. For example, Acinetobacter was overrepresented in urolith formers and is associated with CaOx urolithiasis in humans. Two unique clusters of the microbiome were identified, independent of urolith status, which may represent distinct urotypes present in Miniature Schnauzers.