bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moroccan family businesses professionalization: benefits and challenges
Authors: Habba Badr , Allioui Azzeddine , Farhane Farah
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study the influence of professionalization on Moroccan family businesses and the challenges that hinder its success.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is based on exploratory qualitative approach based on semi-directive interviews with 15 CEOs of unlisted Moroccan family businesses to gain a better understanding of CEOs' perceptions of management professionalization.

Findings

This research work gives rise to a result that professionalization helps family businesses cope with their competitive environment, improve the quality of strategic decisions and thus increase their performance. However, successful professionalization process requires certain cognitive, managerial, cultural and emotional skills that allow the overcoming of socio-emotional barriers and guarantee the efficacious implementation of change.

Practical implications

This paper guarantees the identification of the mechanisms to be put in place to overcome the challenges that prevent the success of this professionalization by implementing a new professional culture inspired by family values and standards while respecting the conditions of economic profitability.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in the analysis of the influence of professionalization on the family businesses' in the Moroccan context and the proposal of professionalization tracks to align with market requirements and strengthen the competitiveness of the company. Thus, this paper guarantees the identification of the mechanisms to be put in place to overcome the challenges that prevent the success of this professionalization by implementing a new professional culture inspired by family values and standards while respecting the conditions of economic profitability.
The habitus of individuals in performance measurement practices in universities: a case study
Authors: Seneviratne Chaturika Priyadarshani , Hoque Zahirul
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role of individuals’ habitus in an organization’s performance measurement practices. Habitus refers to how individuals with a particular background perceive and react to the social world.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the habitus philosophy developed by Bourdieu in his practice theory (Bourdieu, 1977), this study used a qualitative research methodology involving face-to-face interviews, observations of performance evaluation meetings and examination of documents within a Sri Lankan public university.

Findings

The authors revealed the power of university individuals as they possess practical knowledge in their field where they operate to make effects in the practice of a performance measurement system (PMS). In addition, the research findings show that mutually opposing strategies, self-interests and individuals’ varied power relations collectively play a dominant role in deciding the practical operation of the PMS at the university.

Research limitations/implications

While this study is constrained to a Sri Lankan public university, its findings offer insights into how individuals within an organization can emerge as influential players in PMS practice.

Originality/value

The findings enhance the understanding of how PMS practice may operate beyond traditional, calculative and abstract forms in an organizational setting. Instead, individuals, as micro-level forces in a specific social space, shape organizational practices, such as PMS, in universities.
There is no association of serum vitamin B levels with all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Wang Yan , Yang Bing , Zhu Li , Ni Meng‐fan , Gan Liang‐ying , Wang Mei , Zuo Li
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The impact of vitamin B metabolic disorders on hemodialysis (HD) patients' survival is unknown. This study is to investigate the association of serum vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 with all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in HD patients.

Methods

Patients' baseline serum vitamin B1, B3, B5, and B6 levels were collected, and they were followed up for the occurrence of all‐cause and CV death. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to examine the association of vitamin B with mortality.

Results

Seventy‐six HD patients were included. The median follow‐up time was 99 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that baseline vitamin B5 < 69.0 nmol/L and vitamin B6 < 8.1 ng/ml were associated with a higher risk of CV mortality, but these associations were nullified after adjustment.

Conclusions

Serum vitamins B1, B3, B5, and B6 were not associated with all‐cause or CV mortality in HD patients.

Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200057078 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry,https://www.chictr.org.cn/).
TiPS: Rapidly simulating trajectories and phylogenies from compartmental models
Authors: Danesh Gonché , Saulnier Emma , Gascuel Olivier , Choisy Marc , Alizon Samuel
Published: December 2022

Stochastic population dynamics simulations are essential for many ecological and epidemiological studies to generate time series and genealogies that capture the relatedness between individuals. Many software packages allow one to simulate phylogenetic trees but these tend to suffer from one or two major limitations. First, the underlying population dynamics model is often simplistic (e.g. constant population size or exponential growth). Second, the software packages are not appropriate to simulate a large number of trees.

We introduce TiPS, an R package to generate trajectories and phylogenetic trees associated with a compartmental model. Trajectories are simulated using Gillespie's exact or approximate stochastic simulation algorithm, or a newly proposed mixed version of the two. Phylogenetic trees are simulated from a trajectory under a backwards‐in‐time approach (i.e. coalescent). TiPS is based on the Rcpp package, allowing to combine the flexibility of R for model definition and the speed of C++ for simulations execution. The model is defined in R with a set of reactions, which allow capturing heterogeneity in life cycles or any sort of population structure. TiPS converts the model into C++ code and compiles it into a simulator that is interfaced in R via a function.

TiPS is flexible, easy‐to‐use and available on the CRAN at https://cran.r‐project.org/package=TiPS. Plus, benchmarking analyses show that TiPS is faster than existing packages.

This package is particularly well suited for population genetics and phylodynamics studies that need to generate a large number of phylogenies used for population dynamics studies.
Characterisation of eight cattle with Swyer syndrome by whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: Berry Donagh P. , Herman Emily K. , Carthy Tara R. , Jennings Rebecca , Bandi‐Kenari Nahid , O'Connor Rebecca E. , Mee John F. , O'Donovan Jim , Matthews Daragh , Stothard Paul
Published: December 2022

Swyer syndrome is where an individual has the karyotype of a typical male yet is phenotypically a female. The lack of a (functional) SRY gene located on the Y‐chromosome is implicated in some cases of the Swyer syndrome, although many Swyer individuals with an apparently fully functional SRY gene have also been documented. The present study undertook whole genome sequence analyses of eight cattle with suspected Swyer syndrome and compared their genome to that of both a control male and female. Sequence analyses coupled with female phenotypes confirmed that all eight individuals had the 60,XY sex reversal Swyer syndrome. Seven of the eight Swyer syndrome individuals had a deletion on the Y chromosome encompassing the SRY gene (i.e., SRY−). The eighth individual had no obvious mutation in the SRY gene (SRY+) or indeed in any reported gene associated with sex reversal in mammals; a necropsy was performed on this individual. No testicles were detected during the necropsy. Histological examination of the reproductive tract revealed an immature uterine body and horns with inactive glandular tissue of normal histological appearance; both gonads were elongated, a characteristic of most reported cases of Swyer in mammals. The flanking sequence of 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms within 10 kb of the SRY gene are provided to help diagnose some cases of Swyer syndrome. These single nucleotide polymorphisms will not, however, detect all cases of Swyer syndrome since, as evidenced from the present study (and other studies), some individuals with the Swyer condition still contain the SRY gene (i.e., SRY+).
A poetics of living rebellion: Sociocultural anthropology in 2021
Authors: Ihmoud Sarah , Cordis Shanya
Published: December 2022

In this experimental year‐in‐review article, we center the everyday, ongoing, and emergent rebellions of livingness against imbricated structures of antiblackness and Indigenous erasure that shape carceral global landscapes to think with the premise that “liberation is an already existing and unfinished and unmet possibility” (McKittrick 2021, 13). We do so through engaging what Orisanmi Burton (2021, 2) theorizes as the “ethnographic and political modality” of letter writing as an intimate practice of radical kinship and rebellious method. Our focus is on rebellious methods of living and loving that call on anthropologists to think with the fugitive acts of everyday people struggling to survive the shifting terrains of white supremacy, settler‐colonial and capitalist power, and ecological devastation while also tending to the forms of expansion, imagination, and rearticulation that always already exist in and beyond this frame. Sharing practices of rebellion and rebellious method across geographies allows us to hone anthropological insights from terrains of struggle through which alternative futures can be imagined, including constellations of a new humanism and anticipatory vocabularies of otherwise worlds.
Plasma methionine appearance and residual potential of supplemented N‐acetyl‐L‐methionine through ruminal or abomasal infusion in dairy cows
Authors: Fagundes Mark A. , Hall Jeffery O. , Eun Jong‐Su
Published: December 2022

The present study investigated the plasma methionine (Met) and residual potential of N‐acetyl‐L‐Met (NALM) in lactating dairy cows. Six cows (75 ± 20.1 days‐in‐milk) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Within each square, cows were randomly assigned to a sequence of three dietary treatments during each of the three 13‐day periods (10 days of treatment adaptation and 3 days of data collection and sampling). The three dietary treatments are as follows: basal diet without NALM (control); control diet with 30 g/day of NALM by rumen placement (30NALM), and control diet with 60 g/day of NALM by rumen placement (60NALM). Rumen NALM dosing led to a linear increase in plasma Met concentration. Abomasal infusion with NALM resulted in both linear and quadratic increases in plasma Met concentration. No NALM was detected in milk, liver, plasma, and muscle samples after rumen placement or abomasal infusion. Supplementation of NALM did not affect dry matter intake and milk yield. The absence of plasma NALM and increases in plasma Met concentration for both ruminal and abomasal NALM dosing suggest that NALM supplemented by either rumen placement or abomasal infusion to lactating dairy cows is deacetylated before entering the central circulation.
Verinurad does not prolong QTc interval: a thorough QT study using concentration–QTc modelling
Authors: Parkinson Joanna , Dota Corina , Källgren Christian , Gottfridsson Christer , Bjursell Magnus , Perl Shira , Kӧrnicke Thomas , Rekić Dinko , Johansson Susanne
Published: December 2022

Aim

This thorough QT/QTc (TQT) study was conducted to evaluate the risk of QT prolongation for verinurad when combined with allopurinol. Verinurad is a novel, urate anion exchanger 1 inhibitor that reduces serum urate levels by promoting urinary excretion of uric acid. It is co‐administered with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor.

Methods

The TQT study (NCT04256629) was a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, three‐period, crossover study, conducted in healthy volunteers. A total of 24 participants received single doses of verinurad 24 mg extended release, 40 mg immediate release formulation (both co‐administered with allopurinol 300 mg), and matching placebos. The primary endpoint was baseline‐ and placebo‐adjusted Fridericia‐corrected QTcF interval (ΔΔQTcF) at the concentration of interest. A prespecified linear mixed‐effects concentration–QTc model was used to estimate the primary endpoint. Time‐matched 12‐lead digital electrocardiograms and plasma concentrations were measured at baseline and up to 48 h after dose in each participant.

Results

Estimated ΔΔQTcF at the highest clinically relevant scenario (76 ng/mL) was −2.7 msec (90% confidence interval [CI]: −4.6, −0.8). Furthermore, the upper 90% ΔΔQTcF CI was estimated to be below 10 msec at all observed verinurad concentrations. Supratherapeutic verinurad dose was used to achieve exposures eightfold higher than the highest clinically relevant exposure, thus waiving the need for positive control.

Conclusions

As the effect on ΔΔQTcF was below the threshold for regulatory concern (10 msec) at the supratherapeutic exposure, it can be concluded that verinurad and allopurinol treatment does not induce QTcF prolongation at the highest clinically relevant exposures.
Novel homozygous variant in ARL2BP associated with retinitis pigmentosa, situs inversus, and male infertility in a Chinese patient
Authors: Zhu Tian , Li Hui , Wei Xing , Li Wuyi , Sun Zixi , Sui Ruifang
Published: December 2022

ARL2BP is a ciliary gene associated with multiple ciliopathy phenotypes. On comprehensive clinical examinations using molecular methods, we identified a Chinese patient from a consanguineous family carrying a novel homozygous variant c.22_23delAG (p.S8Lfs*10) in ARL2BP, presenting with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), situs inversus totalis, and oligozoospermia. Situs inversus and male infertility have never been reported in the same patient with ARL2BP variants; therefore, this a novel ARL2BP‐associated phenotypic triad of RP, situs inversus, and male infertility. Moreover, this patient likely had olfactory dysfunction susceptibility and presented with anosmia. We found reduced patient‐derived fibroblast proliferation and ciliary length. Our findings expand the genotypic spectrum and reveal abnormal cell proliferation and ciliogenesis in ARL2BP‐associated patients.
Health utilities among Aboriginal people attending residential rehabilitation services in New South Wales, Australia: An observational follow‐up study
Authors: Vinzent Annaëlle , Fredes‐Torres Marta , Shakeshaft Anthony , Doran Christopher M. , Settumba Stella , Clifford‐Motopi Anton , Tran Anh D.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

There have been no published studies reporting health utilities among Aboriginal people attending residential rehabilitation for substance use treatment. This study aims to examine health utilities for Aboriginal people in residential rehabilitation and investigate the association between health utilities and length of stay.

Methods

EuroQol‐5 Dimension 5‐level (EQ‐5D‐5L) raw data collected from three residential rehabilitation services in New South Wales, Australia was transferred into a quality‐adjusted health index using EQ‐5D‐5L Crosswalk Index Value Calculator. Clients were categorised into two groups based on their length of stay in treatment: ≤60 days or more than 60 days. Among people who stay longer than 60 days, we also examined health utilities by exit status (yes/no). Bootstrapping was used to examine the difference in improvement in health utilities from baseline to the latest assessment in both groups.

Results

Our study included 91 clients (mean age 32 years old SD: 9). Mean health utility at baseline was 0.76 (SD 0.25) and at the latest assessment was 0.88 (SD 0.16). For clients staying 60 days, the incremental health utility was 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.20; p < 0.01). For clients staying less than or equal to 60 days, the incremental health utility was 0.12 (95% CI 0.00–0.24; p = 0.06). For the total sample, the incremental health utility was 0.12 (95% CI 0.06–0.19; p < 0.01).

Discussion and Conclusions

There is a significant improvement in health utilities for people staying longer in residential rehabilitation. Strategies to improve treatment retention could potentially increase quality of life for Aboriginal people in residential rehabilitation.
Klinische und histologische Charakteristika bei multiplen Dermatofibromen: Eine systematische Übersicht
Authors: Seifi Golnoosh , Kalantari Yasamin , Etesami Ifa
Published: December 2022

Multiple Dermatofibrome (DF) sind seltene gutartige fibrohistiozytäre Läsionen, die durch asymptomatische hyperpigmentierte Knoten charakterisiert sind. Mehrere Erkrankungen wie systemischer Lupus erythematodes (SLE) und Infektionen mit dem humanen Immundefizienz‐Virus (HIV) sind mit multiplen DF assoziiert. Hier haben wir eine systematische Übersicht anhand einer elektronischen Recherche der Datenbanken PubMed und Embase konzipiert, um Fallberichte zu multiplen DF auszuwählen (29. Mai 2021). Von den 2145 ursprünglich gefundenen Artikeln wurden 96 Studien (106 Fälle) eingeschlossen. Multiple DF (> 1 DF‐Läsion) wurden in vier Subtypen eingeteilt und für jeden Subtyp wurden die klinischen Charakteristika separat untersucht: multiple eruptive DF (MEDF) (n = 45), multiple DF (n = 41), multiple gruppierte DF (MCDF) (n = 18) und große kombinierte DF (n = 2). Das Durchschnittsalter der Patienten betrug 38,3 ± 14,7 Jahre. Die Mehrzahl waren Frauen (61,3 %). Die Läsionen befanden sich häufig am Stamm und an den Extremitäten (36,8 %). MEDF (n = 36) hatten den schnellsten Krankheitsbeginn (2,0 ± 6,6 Jahre). Neben SLE (19,8 %) war eine durch HIV (10,3 %), maligne hämatologische Erkrankungen (9,4 %) oder Immunsuppressiva (23,4 %) induzierte Immunsuppression die am häufigsten beobachtete Assoziation. Allerdings waren 66,7 % der MCDF‐Patienten ansonsten gesund. Hinsichtlich des Managements der Erkrankung waren Operation und Nachkontrolle die bevorzugten Optionen. Bei den meisten Fällen trat während der Nachkontrolle weder eine Abheilung noch eine Entwicklung neuer Läsionen auf.
Analyse von Behandlungsfehlervorwürfen gegen Dermatologen im Zeitraum 2004 bis 2018 anhand von Gutachten der Ärztekammer Nordrhein
Authors: Lehmann Lion , Appelbaum Sebastian , Ostermann Thomas , Weber Beate , Hofmann Silke C.
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund

Die von der Gutachterkommission für ärztliche Behandlungsfehler bei der Ärztekammer Nordrhein begutachteten Behandlungsfehlervorwürfe ermöglichen die Identifikation von Qualitätssicherungsproblemen in der Patientenversorgung.

Methodik

333 dermatologische Begutachtungen (Gutachten) aus den Abschlussjahren 2004–2018 wurden analysiert. Um Veränderungen im zeitlichen Verlauf hinsichtlich der Gutachtenanzahl (kumulativ oder indikationsbezogen) abzubilden, erfolgte eine Zuordnung in drei Fünf‐Jahres‐Intervalle. Weiterhin wurden die Gutachten im Hinblick auf die Versorgungsarten, definierte Diagnosekategorien und therapeutische Interventionen betrachtet. Die statistisch‐deskriptive Analyse erfolgte mit SPSS 27. Einzelne relevante Gutachtenfälle werden kasuistisch näher erläutert.

Ergebnisse

Die Anzahl dermatologischer Gutachten ist von 119 im ersten auf 92 Gutachten im letzten Fünf‐Jahres‐Intervall gesunken einhergehend mit rückläufigen Behandlungsfehlerquoten (43 % und 29 %) trotz fachübergreifend steigender Verfahrensanzahl. 104 Gutachten bezogen sich auf (vermeintliche) Diagnostikfehler, 156 auf physikalische oder pharmakologische Therapien und 73 auf operative Therapien. Letztere wiesen eine niedrige Behandlungsfehlerquote auf (29 %).

Schlussfolgerungen

Gemessen an der Zahl der dermatologischen Behandlungsfälle in Deutschland werden Patientenvorwürfe nur sehr selten erhoben und belegen möglicherweise eine größere Patientenzufriedenheit und/oder ein geringeres Risikopotenzial dermatologischer Behandlungen im Vergleich zu anderen Fachbereichen. Fehlerhafte Dosierungen oder Geräteeinstellungen stellen ebenso wie Aufklärungs‐ und Befunderhebungsfehler relevante Fehlerquellen dar. Die dargestellten Kasuistiken zeigen Fehlerquellen auf und sollen dazu beitragen zukünftige Behandlungsfehler zu vermeiden.
Zunahme des atypischen Fibroxanthoms und pleomorphen dermalen Sarkoms: eine retrospektive Analyse vier deutscher Hauttumorzentren
Authors: Kuntz Thomas , Siebdrath Julian , Hofmann Silke C. , Baltaci Mehmet , Schaller Jörg , Hellmich Martin , von Goltzheim Luise Stach , Assaf Chalid , Oellig Frank , Michalowitz Alena‐Lioba , Helbig Doris , Kreuter Alexander
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund und Ziele

In den letzten Jahren konnten umfassende Erkenntnisse über die Pathogenese, Diagnostik und Behandlung von kutanen Sarkomen, insbesondere des atypischen Fibroxanthoms (AFX) und pleomorphen dermalen Sarkoms (PDS) gesammelt werden. Beide Entitäten zeigten innerhalb der letzten Dekade steigende Inzidenzraten. Die vorliegende Studie diente der Untersuchung, welchen Einfluss die neuen Erkenntnisse auf die Fallzahlen von AFX/PDS im Vergleich zu anderen Sarkom‐Entitäten haben.

Patienten und Methodik

Diese retrospektive Studie wurde an vier deutschen Hauttumorzentren durchgeführt und alle von zertifizierten Dermatopathologen bestätigten histopathologischen Befunde von kutanen Sarkomen (AFX, PDS, Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, kutanes Leiomyosarkom, Angiosarkom und Kaposi‐Sarkom) in einem Zeitraum von sieben Jahren (2013–2019) evaluiert. Zusätzlich wurde der Einsatz von immunhistochemischen Markern als diagnostische Hilfe (Panzytokeratin, S100, Desmin, CD34, CD10, Prokollagen‐1, CD99, CD14 und CD68) erfasst.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt konnten 255 kutane Sarkome in die vorliegende Studie eingeschlossen werden. Die Zahl der kutanen Sarkome nahm kontinuierlich von 2013 bis 2019 zu (von 16 auf 52 Fälle im Jahr). Die Diagnose eines AFX/PDS konnte in 2019 4,6‐mal häufiger als in 2013 gestellt werden. Das AFX stellte mit 49,3 % aller kutanen Sarkome den häufigsten Sarkom‐Subtypen dar. Zusätzlich war der Anstieg von AFX/PDS mit dem Einsatz von Immunhistochemie assoziiert. Der Einsatz von spezifischen Immunhistochemischen Markern stieg von 57,1 % im Jahr 2013 auf 100 % in 2019.

Schlussfolgerungen

Diese retrospektive Studie von vier deutschen Hauttumorzentren demonstriert eine substanzielle Zunahme von AFX/PDS, wahrscheinlich infolge kürzlich etablierter beziehungsweise verbesserter diagnostischer und terminologischer Standards. Dieser Anstieg ist vermutlich mit dem vermehrten Einsatz von bestimmten immunhistochemischen Markern assoziiert. AFX/PDS treten wahrscheinlich häufiger auf als bisher vermutet und repräsentieren möglicherweise den häufigsten kutanen Sarkom‐Subtyp.
Subzelluläre Kompartimentierung von STIM1 zur Unterscheidung des Morbus Darier vom Morbus Hailey‐Hailey
Authors: Stanisz Hedwig , Mitteldorf Christina , Janning Helena , Bennemann Anette , Schön Michael P. , Frank Jorge
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund

Der Morbus Darier (MD) und Morbus Hailey‐Hailey (MHH) sind seltene Erkrankungen, die durch Mutationen im ATPase, Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Transporting 2 (ATP2A2)‐ beziehungsweise ATPase Ca2+ Transporting Type 2C, Member 1 (ATP2C1)‐Gen verursacht werden und zu einer Störung des Kalziumstoffwechsels in Keratinozyten führen. Dies zeigt sich klinisch in einer Beeinträchtigung der Keratinisierung. Histologisch wird eine Akantholyse mit unterschiedlichen Ausprägungen von Dyskeratose und Parakeratose beobachtet. Beide Erkrankungen können in der Regel klinisch, histopathologisch und genetisch unterschieden werden. Ihre routinemäßige Unterscheidung kann jedoch schwierig sein, da einige Patienten keine ATP2A2‐ oder ATP2C1‐Mutationen aufweisen. Um diese diagnostische Herausforderung zu lösen, haben wir die differentielle Expression zweier Proteine des speichergesteuerten Kalziumeinstroms (store operated calcium entry; SOCE) immunhistochemisch untersucht: stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) und calcium release‐activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1).

Patienten und Methodik

Fünf Patienten mit uneindeutiger Diagnose und acht Kontrollen mit eindeutiger Diagnose wurden klinisch, histologisch, genetisch und immunhistochemisch hinsichtlich der Expression von STIM1 und ORAI1 untersucht.

Ergebnisse

MD‐Patienten zeigten durchweg eine zytoplasmatische STIM1‐Expression, während Patienten mit MHH ein membrangebundenes Expressionsmuster aufwiesen. Im Gegensatz dazu fand sich keine differentielle Expression von ORAI1.

Schlussfolgerung

Unsere Ergebnisse legen eine subzelluläre Kompartimentierung von STIM1 als neuen Biomarker für die Unterscheidung der beiden Erkrankungen nahe.
Hybrid brachiariagrass (Urochloa spp.) establishment with annual sorghum sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) mixtures at half and full recommended seeding rates
Authors: Kaneko Makoto , da Silva Hiran Marcelo Siqueira , Vendramini João Mauricio Bueno , Sanchez João Marcelo Dalmazo , de Sousa Jhone L. , de Oliveira Rhaiza Alves
Published: December 2022

The slow initial growth of hybrid brachiariagrass (Urochloa spp.) can require some months to achieve complete ground cover of a newly seeded area, leading to decreased forage production and increased weed infestation in the establishment year. To solve these problems, we attempted to sow seeds by mixing warm‐season annual forages with brachiariagrass at a brachiariagrass pasture establishment (University of Florida, USA, 2017 and 2018). Treatments were single seeding of ‘Cayman’ brachiariagrass solo (BR), sorghum sudangrass solo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench; SD), and sunn hemp solo (Crotalaria juncea L.; SH) and two mixtures of these three forages at half (HSR) or full (FSR) of the recommended seeding rate. The seeding rates of FSR were, respectively, 10, 20, and 25 kg/ha for brachiariagrass, sudangrass, and sunn hemp. The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Plots were harvested at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks after seeding. The number of brachiariagrass seedlings in the HSR and FSR treatments was less than half that in the BR (P < .05). The BR treatment had greater brachiariagrass herbage accumulation (HA) at all harvests than HSR (4%–75% of BR) or FSR (7%–66% of BR). This difference between the BR and mixture treatments became narrower in later harvests. In addition to the decreased number of brachiariagrass seedlings, light and nutrient competition between annual forages are considered to be the causes of lower brachiariagrass HA in the mixture treatments. Sunn hemp increased forage HA and crude protein concentrations at 6 weeks. Sudangrass provided overyielding forage until 18 weeks after seeding, with a similar nutritive value as brachiariagrass. Mixing warm‐season annual forages with brachiariagrass at the establishment, especially half of the seeding rates of sunn hemp and sudangrass, is a feasible management practice to increase HA during the first 12 weeks after seeding.
El ordenamiento jurídico y la segmentación del mercado de trabajo por razón de género
Authors: FUDGE Judy , MUNDLAK Guy
Published: December 2022

Tras estudiar el consenso bibliográfico sobre la interacción de la legislación laboral con el género, se distinguen las siguientes funciones del ordenamiento jurídico: constituir las instituciones del mercado laboral, sostenerlas, corregir sus resultados indeseados y transformarlas. La relación de trabajo típica y las instituciones del empleo formal, constituidas en virtud de ese proceso, tienen efectos segmentadores de género. La corrección normativa de esos efectos tiende a perpetuarlos. Los autores propugnan una alternativa transformadora de formulación de nuevas normas basadas en dos principios generales: universalización del ámbito de aplicación y adaptación del contenido a los intereses de mujeres y hombres en diferentes situaciones.
The Reibergram for immunoglobulin A in dogs: Evaluation of intrathecal IgA synthesis using a quotient graph in dogs with neurological diseases
Authors: Püschel Mirja L. , Freise Fritjof , Carlson Regina , Tipold Andrea , Nessler Jasmin
Published: December 2022

Background

Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein concentration is a common finding in neurological diseases of dogs. Distinguishing between intrathecally‐produced proteins and proteins that have passed the blood‐CSF barrier because of barrier disruption facilitates diagnosis. Albumin is a microprotein mainly produced extrathecally that can be used as a reference marker for blood‐CSF barrier dysfunction.

Objectives

Develop a quotient graph based on the CSF/serum quotient of albumin and immunoglobulin A (IgA; Reibergram) to visualize intrathecal IgA synthesis and blood‐CSF barrier dysfunction.

Animals and Methods

Retrospective single‐center cohort study. A hyperbolic function was developed using data from 6 healthy Beagles and 38 dogs with neurological diseases in which an isolated blood‐CSF barrier dysfunction was expected. The function was validated using data from 10 dogs with expected intrathecal IgA synthesis and was visualized as a quotient graph. Finally, the graph was used to evaluate data of 118 dogs with various neurological diseases.

Results

Within the Reibergram, the function describes the upper values of physiological IgA quotients. It detects diseases with expected intrathecal IgA synthesis with higher sensitivity (85%) and specificity (89%) than the IgA index. The upper value of the physiological albumin quotient is 2.22 and detects diseases with expected blood‐CSF barrier dysfunction (sensitivity: 81%; specificity: 88%).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The canine Reibergram can detect blood‐CSF barrier dysfunction and intrathecal IgA synthesis in the majority of cases. The graphical visualization simplifies data evaluation and makes it a feasible tool in routine CSF diagnostic testing.
Quantitative analysis of MGMT promoter methylation status changes by pyrosequencing in recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: Jiménez Víctor González , Doval Marta Brell , Bellvert Cristina Gómez , Goliney Victor Goliney , Asencio Osman Salazar , Martín Adriana Gómez , Domínguez Javier Ibáñez
Published: December 2022

MGMT promoter methylation status can change in response to several factors, treatment with alkylating therapy being the mechanism more commonly cited in the literature. Some authors have attempted to quantify these alterations, with inconsistent results. This study aims to determine changes in MGMT promoter methylation status by pyrosequencing, which quantitatively yields results, in a cohort of patients reoperated for recurrent glioblastoma and having previously completed the Stupp protocol. Methylation status of the MGMT promoter gene of a total of 24 pairs of glioblastoma preselected tumor samples was retrospectively analyzed using pyrosequencing and depicted as percentages or categories (hypermethylated, intermediate methylation, unmethylated). Matched samples were compared using Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, and log‐rank test was used to establish a correlation with survival data. The median value of MGMT promoter methylation status declined after adjuvant treatment from 20.35% to 14.25% (p = 0.346). A significant correlation between methylation in primary samples and overall survival (p = 0.05) and progression‐free survival (p = 0.024) was found. Intermediate methylation status at recurrence was linked to greater survival after progression, without reaching statistical significance (post‐progression survival [PPS]) (p = 0.217). Although treatment with alkylating chemotherapy was a common feature in all patients of our cohort, switching in both directions was observed when MGMT promoter methylation status was analyzed as a continuous variable. These data suggest that the dynamics of epigenetics may be very complex and not entirely explained by clonal selection influenced by temozolomide.
Characterization of Binding Properties of Cr(Phen)33+ and Ru(Phen)32+ Complexes with Human Lactoferrin
Authors: Garcia Pablo Facundo , Saez Torillo Santiago N. , Anzani Angel , Argüello Gerardo , Burgos Paci Maxi A.
Published: December 2022

This work presents research about [Cr(phen)3]3+ and [Ru(phen)3]2+ interaction with human lactoferrin (HLf), a key carrier protein of ferric cations. The photochemical and photophysical properties of [Cr(phen)3]3+ and [Ru(phen)3]2+ have been widely studied in the last decades due to their potential use as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The behavior between the complexes and the protein was studied employing UV–visible absorption, fluorescence emission and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques. It was found that both complexes bind to HLf with a large binding constant (Kb): 9.46 × 104 for the chromium complex and 4.16 × 104 for the ruthenium one at 299 K. Thermodynamic parameters were obtained from the Van't Hoff equation. Analyses of entropy (ΔS), enthalpy (ΔH) and free energy changes (ΔG) indicate that these complexes bind to HLf because of entropy‐driven processes and electrostatic interactions. According to circular dichroism experiments, no conformational changes have been observed in the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein in the presence of any of the studied complexes. These experimental results suggest that [Cr(phen)3]3+ and [Ru(phen)3]2+ bind to HLf, indicating that this protein could act as a carrier of these complexes in further applications.
Visualizing population mobility from spatiotemporally aggregated mobile phone data via a3Dgradient approach
Authors: Lin Bo‐Cheng , Chan Ta‐Chien
Published: December 2022

Population mobility patterns are important for understanding a city's rhythms. With the widespread use of mobile phones, population‐based trajectories can be utilized to explore such mobility patterns. However, to protect personal privacy, mobile phone data must be de‐identified by data aggregation within each spatiotemporal unit. In data acquired from mobile phones, population mobility features are still implicit in the spatiotemporally aggregated grid data. In this study, based on image‐processing techniques, a two‐step 3D gradient method is adopted to extract the movement features. The first step is to estimate the initial movement pattern in each spatiotemporal grid, and then to estimate the accumulated movement pattern within a time period around a geographical grid. This method can be applied adaptively to multi‐scale spatiotemporal grid data. Using geospatial visualization methods, estimated motion characteristics such as velocity and flow direction can be made intuitive and integrated with other multiscale geospatial data. Furthermore, the correlation between the population mobility pattern and demographic characteristics, such as gender and age groups, can be analyzed with intuitive visualization. The implication of the visualization results can be used for understanding the human dynamics in a city, which can be beneficial for urban planning, transportation management, and socioeconomic development.
Impact of high MELD scores on CMV viremia following liver transplantation
Authors: Freedman Sari R. , Saunders Kenneth , Plazak Michael E. , Ravichandran Bharath R. , Saharia Kapil K. , Masters Brian M. , Sparkes Tracy
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Advanced liver disease or cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of infections; however, the impact of high pretransplant model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score on cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia after liver transplantation is unknown.

Methods

This single‐center, retrospective, cohort study evaluated CMV high‐risk (CMV immunoglobulin G D+/R−) liver transplant recipients who received valganciclovir prophylaxis for 3 months between 2009 and 2019. Patients were stratified by pretransplant MELD score of <35 (low MELD) and ≥35 (high MELD). The primary outcome was 12‐month CMV viremia, and secondary outcomes included CMV resistance and tissue invasive disease, mortality, biopsy‐proven acute rejection (BPAR), leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Multivariable Cox proportional‐hazards modeling was used to assess the association of MELD score with the time to CMV viremia.

Results

There were 162 and 79 patients in the low and high MELD groups, respectively. Pretransplant MELD score ≥35 was associated with an increased risk of CMV viremia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73; confidence interval 1.06–2.82, p = .03). CMV viremia occurred at 162 ± 61 days in the low MELD group and 139 ± 62 days in the high MELD group. Although BPAR occurred early at 30 days (13–59) in the low‐MELD group and at 18 days (11–66) in the high‐MELD group (p = .56), BPAR was not associated with an increased risk of CMV viremia (HR 1.55 [0.93–2.60], p = .1).

Discussion

MELD scores ≥35 were associated with an increased hazards of CMV viremia. In liver transplant recipients with MELD scores ≥35 who are CMV high‐risk, additional CMV intervention may be warranted.

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Design of Energy Storage for Assisting Extraction Condensing Unit to Peak Regulation and Frequency Modulation
Authors: Sun Haocheng , Wei Shuzhou , Qian Jiangbo , Wang Jinxing
Published: December 2022

Coupling energy storage system is one of the potential ways to improve the peak regulation and frequency modulation performance for the existing combined heat power plant. Based on the characteristics of energy storage types, achieving the accurate parameter design for multiple energy storage has been a necessary step to coordinate regulation. In this work, heat storage tank for peak regulation and flywheel energy storage for frequency modulation have been carried out, including the parameters design and performance evaluation for their charging (or discharging) rate and capacity, and the collaborative optimization of dual energy storage systems has been realized. First, the effects of increasing peak depth, load change rate (frequency modulation) range, and energy storage parameters are further analyzed. It is worth noting that the power curves of regional thermal and electrical loads would be adjusted according to the set requirements. Results showed that, the set rate of charge and discharge as well as the capacity of energy storage is conducive to improving the peak regulation depth of the system, and the peak regulation depth would reach its limit at 96.35 MW and 40.83 MWh in the calculation cases, respectively. On this basis, the cooperative regulation of dual energy storage can further increase the capability of peak regulation and frequency modulation. The extreme point is that when the charge and discharge rates are both 3 MW, and meanwhile the peak clipping coefficient, a self-defined parameter, reaches 22.34 MW. Furthermore, an example calculation is carried out to verify the reliability of the design method of energy storage parameter. The specific parameters set include the charging and discharging rate of energy storage tank equipment is 61.67 MW, and its capacity is 10.64 MWh, and the charging and discharging rate of flywheel energy storage equipment is 3 MW. The example results confirmed that there was only a very small error between the set results and the calculation results. Finally, the thermal-electric load region has been drawn to contrast the key roles of dual energy storage systems, which indicates that the heat storage tank can be used for peak regulation and flywheel energy storage for frequency modulation. Overall, the parameter design method for dual energy storage can meet the engineering requirements and provide a new direction for the subsequent parameter design of thermal power unit coupled energy storage system.
Calculating Cooled Turbine Efficiency With Weighted Cooling Flow Distributions
Authors: Berdanier Reid A.
Published: December 2022

The ability to accurately characterize the thermal efficiency of turbine stages with cooled components is essential to advance turbine technologies. There are many methods for calculating aerodynamic efficiency of turbomachinery components, with most encompassing either single point or simple integrated values at the inlet and exit locations. For cooled turbine stages, there is an added complexity of how to incorporate cooling flow streams. Although these techniques may include multiple cooling flows, a fully mixed assumption is often invoked without directly accounting for distributions of cooling flow in the annulus. However, the distribution of cooling flows in turbine stages may vary significantly depending on the location and nature of injection. This study addresses how calculated efficiency may vary depending upon how cooling flows are injected and the manner in which these cooling flows are accounted. The analyses utilize experimentally measured cooling flow concentration profiles to motivate a new approach for calculating cooled turbine efficiency with weighted cooling flow distributions. Validation data for a one-stage high-pressure turbine geometry from the energy efficient engine (E3) program are assessed to determine the range of influence for cooling flow distributions. Results show that cooling flows injected at similar axial positions can have unequal influences on integrated stage efficiency based on known distributions of cooling flow and other properties at the turbine stage exit plane. In some cases, deviations approaching half a point of efficiency can be observed relative to traditional equations, and the magnitude of influence is shown to increase as stage total pressure ratio decreases.
Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Strains from the Republic of Moldova
Authors: Ulinici Mariana , Soñora Martín , Orsini Emanuele , Licastro Danilo , Dal Monego Simeone , Todiras Mihail , Lungu Ludmila , Groppa Stanislav , Marcello Alessandro
Published: December 2022

The whole-genome sequences of 15 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains from nasopharyngeal swab samples collected in the Republic of Moldova in June 2020 to September 2021 were determined. Little variability was observed in the early stages, when mostly clade 19A was circulating, followed by clade 20B.
Health professional’s implicit bias of adult patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) and its effects on clinical decision-making: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Job Claire , Adenipekun Bami , Cleves Anne , Samuriwo Ray
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Despite efforts to improve population health and reduce health inequalities, higher morbidity and mortality rates for people with lower socioeconomic status (SES) persist. People with lower SES are said to receive worse care and have worse outcomes compared with those with higher SES, in part due to bias and prejudice. Implicit biases adversely affect professional patient relationships and influence healthcare-related decision-making. A better understanding of the relationship between SES and healthcare-related decision-making is therefore essential to address socioeconomic inequalities in health.

Aim

To scope the reported impact of health professionals bias about SES on clinical decision-making and its effect on the care of adults with lower SES in wider literature.

Methods

This scoping review will use Joanna Briggs Institute methods and will report its findings in line with Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols and Scoping Reviews guidelines. Data analysis, interpretation and reporting will be underpinned by the PAGER (Patterns,Advances,Gaps,Evidence for Practice andResearch recommendations) framework and input from a patient and public interest representative. A systematic search for literature will be conducted on various, pertinent databases to identify relevant literature such as peer-reviewed articles, editorials, discussion papers and empirical research papers. Additionally, other sources of relevant literature such as policies, guidelines, reports and conference abstracts, identified through key website searches will be considered for inclusion.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this scoping review. The results will be disseminated through an open access peer-reviewed international journal, conference presentations and a plain language summary that will be shared with the public and other relevant stakeholders.
Describing post-traumatic stress disorder and its associations with depression, anxiety and insomnia: a descriptive study in Italian adults with Marfan syndrome during the COVID-19 third wave
Authors: Udugampolage Nathasha , Caruso Rosario , Magon Arianna , Conte Gianluca , Callus Edward , Taurino Jacopo , Pini Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Objective

The evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and insomnia in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a region of northern Italy (Lombardy) and the investigation of which mental health, sociodemographic and clinical factors were associated with PTSD.

Design

Descriptive observational design with cross-sectional data collection procedure.

Setting

A single Italian MFS-specific specialised and reference centre in Lombardy (Italy) between February and April 2021.

Participants

112 adults with MFS. The majority of participants were female (n=64; 57.1%), with a high school diploma (n=52; 46.4%) and active workers (n=66; 58.9%). The mean age was 41.89 years (SD=14.00), and the mean time from diagnosis was 15.18 years (SD=11.91).

Primary and secondary outcomes

Descriptive statistics described PTSD, which was the primary outcome, as well as depression, anxiety and insomnia, which were the secondary outcomes. Four linear regression models described the predictors of PTSD total score and its three domains: avoidance, intrusion and hyperarousal.

Results

One out of 10 patients with MFS had mild psychological symptoms regarding depression, anxiety and insomnia, and scores of PTSD that indicated clinical worries about the mental health status. The presence of PTSD was mainly predicted by anxiety (β=0.647; p<0.001), being older, taking psychoactive medication and being unemployed.

Conclusion

Depression, anxiety and insomnia should be monitored in patients with MFS in order to minimise PTSD insurgence. Specific psychosocial interventions should be developed and tested for this population and adopted in clinical practice, given the relevance of mental health outcomes during the pandemic.
Investigation and monitoring of heavy metal poisoning
Authors: Barlow Nicola L , Bradberry Sally M
Published: December 2022

Historically, heavy metal measurement and interpretation has been a highly specialised area performed only in a handful of centres within the UK. However, recent years have seen a move to more local testing due to the repatriation of referred work into pathology networks and the increased availability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technology. While management of significant poisoning is still overseen by tertiary care poisoning specialists, management of milder cases may be undertaken locally.

Non-specialist clinical scientists and clinicians need to know when heavy metal testing is appropriate, which samples are required (and any specific requirements around collection) and how to interpret and act on the results.

This Best Practice article provides guidance on the investigation and monitoring of the toxic elements most frequently encountered in general medical practice; lead, mercury and arsenic. It is intended as a reference guide for the non-specialist and as a comprehensive summary for clinical toxicologists and clinical scientists.