bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LYTIC COCKTAIL ATTENUATES CATECHOLAMINE SURGE AFTER SEVERE BURNS BY BLOCKING HISTAMINE H1 RECEPTOR/PKA/CREB/TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE SIGNALING IN CHROMAFFIN CELLS
Authors: Wang Jizhuang , Lu Chenghao , Zhang Jie , Gao Min , Liu Dan , Yang Peilang , Yu Tianyi , Wang Xiqiao , Zhang Xiong , Liu Yan
Published: August 2022

Severe burns develop a catecholamine surge, inducing severe damage to the organism, raising the possibility of multisystem organ failure, and even death. The mechanisms of catecholamine surge have not been fully elucidated, and few strategies are generally acceptable to reduce catecholamine surge postburn. Thus, it is valuable to investigate the underlying mechanisms of catecholamine surge postburn to develop targeted interventions to attenuate it. We have found that the lytic cocktail alleviates the surge of catecholamine and organ injury after severe burn; however, the underlying mechanisms were still unclear. Moreover, the lytic cocktail has side effects, such as significant arterial hypotension and breathing depression, limiting its clinical application. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of the lytic cocktail in regulating catecholamine levels postburn. We find that promethazine, a classic histamine H1 receptor blocker and a component of the lytic cocktail, can effectively reduce catecholamine surge and organ injury postburn. Our study confirms that blood histamine levels increase after severe burns. We find that histamine can amplify the catecholamine surge by elevating tyrosine hydroxylase expression and catecholamine synthesis in chromaffin cells through the histamine H1 receptor/Protein Kinase A /cAMP-response element binding protein signaling pathway. In summary, for the first time, we find that histamine plays a vital role in catecholamine surge postburn. We also confirm that the lytic cocktail effectively alleviates catecholamine surge and organ injury postburn through promethazine.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN BIOLOGICAL SEX AND THE X-LINKED VARIANT IRAK1 HAPLOTYPE IN MODULATING CLINICAL OUTCOME AND CELLULAR PHENOTYPES AFTER TRAUMA
Authors: Qin Yong , Livingston David H. , Spolarics Zoltan
Published: August 2022

Sex-related outcome differences in trauma remain controversial. The mechanisms causing sex-biased outcomes are likely to have hormonal and genetic components, in which X-linked genetic polymorphisms may play distinct roles because of X-linked inheritance, hemizygosity in males, and X chromosome mosaicism in females. The study aimed to elucidate the contribution of biological sex and the common X-linked IRAK1 haplotype to posttrauma clinical complications, inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, and polymorphonuclear cell and monocyte activation. Postinjury clinical outcome was tested in 1507 trauma patients (1,110 males, 397 females) after stratification by sex or the variant IRAK1 haplotype. Males showed a three- to fivefold greater frequency of posttrauma sepsis, but similar mortality compared to females. Stratification by the variant IRAK1 haplotype revealed increased pneumonia and urinary tract infection in Wild type (WT) versus variant IRAK1 males, whereas increased respiratory failures in variant versus WT females. Cytokine/chemokine profiles were tested in whole blood from a subset of patients (n = 81) and healthy controls (n = 51), which indicated sex-related differences in ex vivo lipopolysaccharide responsiveness manifesting in a 1.5- to 2-fold increased production rate of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 Alpha, and MIP1β in WT male compared to WT female trauma patients. Variant IRAK1 decreased IL-6, IL-8, and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 production in male trauma subjects compared to WT, whereas cytokine/chemokine responses were similar in variant IRAK1 and WT female trauma subjects. Trauma-induced and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated polymorphonuclear cell and monocyte activation determined by using a set of cluster of differentiation markers and flow cytometry were not influenced by sex or variant IRAK1. These findings suggest that variant IRAK1 is a potential contributor to sex-based outcome differences, but its immunomodulatory impacts are modulated by biological sex.
TIME FROM HOSPITAL ADMISSION TO ONSET OF SEPTIC SHOCK IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER IN-HOSPITAL MORTALITY
Authors: Sato Ryota , Dugar Siddharth , Han Xiaozhen , Siuba Matthew T. , Mucha Simon , Dettmer Matthew , Wang Xiaofeng , Yataco Angel Coz , Choudhary Chirag , Khanna Ashish K. , Duggal Abhijit
Published: August 2022

Objective: Several studies have shown septic shock developing later during the hospital stay is associated with higher mortality. However, the precise point at which time from hospital admission to the onset of septic shock (admission-shock-onset-time) becomes an independent prognostic marker of mortality remains unknown. This study evaluated the association between admission-shock-onset-time and in-hospital mortality among patients with septic shock and the optimal cutoff period to categorize early- and late-onset septic shock. Method: We conducted a single-center retrospective, observational cohort study at a quaternary academic hospital comprising adult patients with septic shock admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) from January 2011 to December 2020. A multivariable additive logistic regression model was developed to assess if log-transformed admission-shock-onset-time was associated with in-hospital mortality. The thin plate spline function was used to describe the nonlinear relationship between the log-transformed admission-shock-onset-time and in-hospital mortality. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was ICU mortality. Results: Two thousand five hundred twenty patients met the inclusion criteria with an overall in-hospital mortality of 37.3%. The log-transformed admission-shock-onset-time was associated with higher in-hospital and ICU mortality even after adjusting for clinical variables. The odds ratio for in-hospital mortality continued to increase throughout the observation period. The adjusted odds ratio exceeded 2 in between 20.1 and 54.6 h, and it surpassed 3 in between 54.6 and 148.4 h of the time from the hospital admission to shock onset. Conclusion: In-hospital mortality continued to rise as admission-shock-onset-time increased in patients with septic shock. No clear dichotomization between early and late septic shock could be ascertained, and this categorization may limit our understanding of the temporal relationship of shock onset to mortality.
GOODNIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT, DON’T LET THE MICROBES BITE: A REVIEW OF SLEEP AND ITS EFFECTS ON SEPSIS AND INFLAMMATION
Authors: Walker Wendy E.
Published: August 2022

Sleep is a restorative biological process that is crucial for health and homeostasis. However, patient sleep is frequently interrupted in the hospital environment, particularly within the intensive care unit. Suboptimal sleep may alter the immune response and make patients more vulnerable to infection and sepsis. In addition, hospitalized patients with sepsis experience altered sleep relative to patients without infectious disease, suggesting a bidirectional interplay. Preclinical studies have generated complementary findings, and together, these studies have expanded our mechanistic understanding. This review article summarizes clinical and preclinical studies describing how sleep affects inflammation and the host’s susceptibility to infection. We also highlight potential strategies to reverse the detrimental effects of sleep interruption in the intensive care unit.
Auto-diuresis Predicts Return of Bowel Function
Authors: Kaiser Jennifer M. , Helm Melissa C. , Higgins Rana M. , Kastenmeier Andrew S. , Rein Lisa E. , Goldblatt Matthew I.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Feeding a ventral hernia repair (VHR) patient before the return of bowel function (ROBF) can lead to distention and emesis. Many patients spontaneously diurese after surgery. We hypothesized that this auto-diuresis would signal ROBF.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 395 patients who underwent open, laparoscopic, or mixed VHR were evaluated for correlation between fluid status and ROBF or discharge. ROBF within 24 hours and discharge within 24 hours or 48 hours were used as outcome measures.

Results:

Patients remained an average 3.59 days after surgery in the hospital and the average ROBF was on day 2.99. The first shift of ≥700 mL of urine predicted ROBF (P=0.03) and discharge (P=0.04) within 24 hours. The first shift output of ≥500 mL predicted discharge within 48 hours (P=0.02).

Conclusion:

Auto-diuresis after surgery is correlated to ROBF and discharge. Accurate fluid measurement can predict bowel function and allow early diet and discharge.
From temperament and parenting to attachment: a review of the interplay of gene and environment factors in the developmental pathway to attachment
Authors: Shah Shalaka , Laplante David , Atkinson Leslie , Wazana Ashley
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

Attachment represents an aspect of the parent–child relationship by encapsulating behaviours and stress management strategies. Although attachment is not considered a measure of psychopathology, some attachment styles place children at higher risk for psychopathologies. The origins of attachment have historically thought to be either parenting-related variables, or temperament. More recently, there has been accumulated evidence of gene × environment interactions in attachment, temperament, and parenting. This review aims to cover shared gene × environment pathways between these variables, introduce recent relevant insights from prenatal programming research, and offer a synthesized developmental cascade model of attachment.

Recent findings

Carriers of gene polymorphisms related to stress neurobiology respond differently to environments than noncarriers according to two patterns: attachment research shows inconsistent diathesis-stress between gene polymorphisms and environment, and temperament, stress physiology, and prenatal programming research show clear patterns of differential susceptibility.

By synthesizing prenatal and postnatal findings, a model of attachment emerges in which individuals more susceptible to environmental influences are carriers of specific genes, whose endophenotypic markers include stress biology and phenotypic markers include temperament. Intervention should, therefore, focus on parenting and stress regulation strategies for these individuals.
Homologous recombination between tandem paralogues drives evolution of a subset of type VII secretion system immunity genes in firmicute bacteria
Authors: Garrett Stephen R. , Mariano Giuseppina , Dicks Jo , Palmer Tracy
Published: August 2022

The type VII secretion system (T7SS) is found in many Gram-positive firmicutes and secretes protein toxins that mediate bacterial antagonism. Two T7SS toxins have been identified in

Staphylococcus aureus

, EsaD a nuclease toxin that is counteracted by the EsaG immunity protein, and TspA, which has membrane depolarising activity and is neutralised by TsaI. Both toxins are polymorphic, and strings of non-identical esaG and tsaI immunity genes are encoded in all

S. aureus

strains. To investigate the evolution of esaG repertoires, we analysed the sequences of the tandem esaG genes and their encoded proteins. We identified three blocks of high sequence similarity shared by all esaG genes and identified evidence of extensive recombination events between esaG paralogues facilitated through these conserved sequence blocks. Recombination between these blocks accounts for loss and expansion of esaG genes in

S. aureus

genomes and we identified evidence of such events during evolution of strains in clonal complex 8. TipC, an immunity protein for the TelC lipid II phosphatase toxin secreted by the streptococcal T7SS, is also encoded by multiple gene paralogues. Two blocks of high sequence similarity locate to the 5′ and 3′ end of tipC genes, and we found strong evidence for recombination between tipC paralogues encoded by

Streptococcus mitis

BCC08. By contrast, we found only a single homology block across tsaI genes, and little evidence for intergenic recombination within this gene family. We conclude that homologous recombination is one of the drivers for the evolution of T7SS immunity gene clusters.
Yeast display platform for expression of linear peptide epitopes to assess peptide-MHC-II binding in high-throughput
Authors: Huisman Brooke D. , Balivada Pallavi A. , Birnbaum Michael E.
Published: August 2022

Yeast display can serve as a powerful tool to assess peptide-MHC (pMHC) and pMHC-TCR binding. However, this approach is often limited by the need to optimize MHC proteins for yeast surface expression, which can be laborious and may not yield productive results. Here we present a second-generation yeast display platform for class II MHC molecules (MHC-II) which decouples MHC-II expression from yeast-expressed peptides, referred to as “peptide display”. Peptide display obviates the need for yeast-specific MHC optimizations and increases the scale of MHC-II alleles available for use in yeast display screens. Because MHC identity is separated from the peptide library, a further benefit of this platform is the ability to assess a single library of peptides against any MHC-II. We demonstrate the utility of the peptide display platform across MHC-II proteins, screening HLA-DR, HLA-DP, and HLA-DQ alleles. We further explore parameters of selections, including reagent dependencies, MHC avidity, and use of competitor peptides. This approach presents an advance in throughput and accessibility of screening peptide-MHC-II binding.
Sex-linked markers in an Australian frog Platyplectrum ornatum with a small genome and homomorphic sex chromosomes
Authors: Schimeck Chad , Shams Foyez , Miura Ikuo , Clulow Simon , Majtanova Zuzana , Deakin Janine , Ezaz Tariq
Published: August 2022

Amphibians have highly diverse sex-determining modes leading to a notable interest in vertebrate sex determination and sex chromosome evolution. The identification of sex-determining systems in amphibians, however, is often difficult as a vast majority consist of homomorphic sex chromosomes making them hard to distinguish. In this study, we used Diversity Array Technology sequencing (DArTseq™) to identify the sex-determining system in the ornate burrowing frog from Australia, Platyplectrum ornatum. We applied DArTseq™ to 44 individuals, 19 males and 25 females, collected from two locations to develop sex-linked markers. Unexpectedly, these 44 individuals were classified into two distinct population clusters based on our SNP analyses, 36 individuals in cluster-1, and 8 individuals in cluster-2. We then performed sex-linkage analyses separately in each cluster. We identified 35 sex-linked markers from cluster-1, which were all associated with maleness. Therefore, P. ornatum cluster-1 is utilising a male heterogametic (XX/XY) sex-determining system. On the other hand, we identified 210 sex-linked markers from cluster-2, of which 89 were male specific, i.e., identifying XX/XY sex determining system and 111 were female specific, i.e., identifying ZZ/ZW sex determining system, suggesting existence of either male or female heterogametic sex determining system in cluster-2. We also performed cytogenetic analyses in 1 male and 1 female from cluster-1; however, we did not detect any visible differentiation between the X and Y sex chromosomes. We also mapped sex-linked markers from the two clusters against the P. ornatum genome and our comparative analysis indicated that the sex chromosomes in both clusters shared homologies to chromosome 10 (autosome) of Rana temporaria and ZWY sex chromosome of Xenopus tropicalis. It is plausible that the cluster-2 has a potential to be either male or female heterogamety in sex determination, requiring further investigation.
The adaptation dynamics between copy-number and point mutations
Authors: Tomanek Isabella , Guet Calin C.
Published: August 2022

Copy-number and point mutations form the basis for most evolutionary novelty through the process of gene duplication and divergence. While a plethora of genomic sequence data reveals the long-term fate of diverging coding sequences and their cis-regulatory elements, little is known about the early dynamics around the duplication event itself. In microorganisms, selection for increased gene expression often drives the expansion of gene copy-number mutations, which serves as a crude adaptation, prior to divergence through refining point mutations. Using a simple synthetic genetic system that allows us to distinguish copy-number and point mutations, we study their early and transient adaptive dynamics in real-time in Escherichia coli. We find two qualitatively different routes of adaptation depending on the level of functional improvement selected for: In conditions of high gene expression demand, the two types of mutations occur as a combination. Under low gene expression demand, negative epistasis between the two types of mutations renders them mutually exclusive. Thus, owing to their higher frequency, adaptation is dominated by copy-number mutations. Ultimately, due to high rates of reversal and pleiotropic cost, copy-number mutations may not only serve as a crude and transient adaptation, but also constrain sequence divergence over evolutionary time scales.
Application study of infrared free-electron lasers towards the development of amyloidosis therapy
Authors: Jindo Mikiko , Nakamura Kazuhiro , Okumura Hisashi , Tsukiyama Koichi , Kawasaki Takayasu
Published: August 2022

Amyloidosis is known to be caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils into various biological tissues; effective treatments for the disease are little established today. An infrared free-electron laser (IR-FEL) is an accelerator-based picosecond-pulse laser having tunable infrared wavelengths. In the current study, the irradiation effect of an IR-FEL was tested on an 11-residue peptide (NFLNCYVSGFH) fibril from β2-microglobulin (β2M) with the aim of applying IR-FELs to amyloidosis therapy. Infrared microspectroscopy (IRM) and scanning electron microscopy showed that a fibril of β2M peptide was clearly dissociated by IR-FEL at 6.1 µm (amide I) accompanied by a decrease of the β-sheet and an increase of the α-helix. No dissociative process was recognized at 6.5 µm (amide II) as well as at 5.0 µm (non-specific wavelength). Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the α-helix can exist stably and the probability of forming interchain hydrogen bonds associated with the internal asparagine residue (N4) is notably reduced compared with other amino acids after the β-sheet is dissociated by amide I specific irradiation. This result implies that N4 plays a key role for recombination of hydrogen bonds in the dissociation of the β2M fibril. In addition, the β-sheet was disrupted at temperatures higher than 340 K while the α-helix did not appear even though the fibril was heated up to 363 K as revealed by IRM. The current study gives solid evidence for the laser-mediated conversion from β-sheet to α-helix in amyloid fibrils at the molecular level.
Adhesion of auto-mixed and manual-mixed self-adhesive resin cements to dentin on exposure to long-term high-altitude pressure
Authors: Ozkan Ata Secil , Akay Canan , Mumcu Emre , Ata Nazim
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the shear-bond-strengths of auto-mixed and manual-mixed self-adhesive resin cement to dentin on long-term high-altitude pressure.

Design/methodology/approach

Human molars were embedded in acrylic resin. Sixty composite resin discs were obtained. The composite resin discs were bonded to dentin using hand-mixed and auto-mixed self-adhesive resin cement. After cementation, the samples were stored in artificial saliva and divided into two subgroups (n= 30), hypobaric pressure and the atmospheric pressure group. The specimen underwent three pressure cycles per day for 100 days. The failure types were evaluated after debonding with scanning electron microscopy. The shear bond strength was tested with Universal Testing Machine. Analysis of variances/Tukey post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis. Groups were also evaluated by the Weibull modulus.

Findings

Regardless of hypobaric pressure changes, the highest bond strength was examined in auto-mixed Panavia SA samples. A significant difference was found in both auto-mixed MaxCem EC and hand-mixed RelyX U200 group after exposure to hypobaric pressure compared to the control group.

Originality/value

The luting cement-type, mixing methods of cements and environmental pressure changes significantly influence the bond strengths. Dentists can use auto-mixed self-adhesive resins in patients likely to be exposed to hypobaric pressure.
The forensic implications of camouflaging: a study into victimisation and offending associated with autism and pathological demand avoidance
Authors: Trundle Grace , Jones Katy A. , Ropar Danielle , Egan Vincent
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of social camouflaging on victimisation and offending in relation to autism and pathological demand avoidance (PDA) traits. Camouflaging aims to overcome or conceal difficulties in social and communication skills. Autistic individuals report camouflaging in response to threat and being verbally and physically assaulted when they have not camouflaged. Thus, camouflaging could be associated with victimisation. Camouflaging could also impact on specialist support available to an individual, potentially increasing the risk of victimisation or offending.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional study was conducted using 220 participants from the general population who completed online questionnaires measuring victimisation and offending, autism and PDA traits, camouflaging and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Findings

Correlational analysis found positive associations between camouflaging and victimisation, and camouflaging and lifetime offending. Greater camouflaging and PDA traits predicted greater offending, whereas greater autism traits predicted fewer offending behaviours. While correlated, camouflaging was not significantly predictive of victimisation. Victimisation was predicted by symptoms of depression and PDA traits.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to consider camouflaging as an influencing factor on offending and victimisation in autistic and PDA individuals.
Human-centric BPM: employee exploitation effects on knowledge-sharing behavior and CWB: a dual-path model and its consequences
Authors: Malik Muhammad Faisal , Burhan Qurat-ul-Ain , Akhtar Shazia , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The research intended to identify the impact of employee exploitation on knowledge-sharing behavior and withdrawal, not in isolation, but by taking psychological ownership and psychological detachment as mediating variables. Moreover, the research aims to identify optimism’s moderating role concerning employee exploitation and psychological ownership. The research aims to suggest the management implementation of the human-centric business process and, subsequently, management to obtain maximum output from employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Positivism research philosophy followed by a deductive approach is adopted to meet the objectives of the current study. Survey techniques with a self-administrated questionnaire were used to collect data from employees working in public sector organizations. Moreover, 255 employees with the highest qualification were shortlisted to capture the variables’ impact. Data analysis was done by using SEM-AMOS approaches and obtained structural and path models to test the formulated hypotheses.

Findings

Results suggested that employee exploitation has a significant relationship with withdrawal, and psychological detachment mediates the relationship. The other path suggested the insignificant role of optimism as a moderator in the relationship between employee exploitation and psychological empowerment. However, psychological empowerment fully mediates the relationship between employee exploitation and knowledge-sharing behavior.

Originality/value

A plethora of research is available on employee exploitation; however, the current research is first to capture both positive and negative paths in public sector organizations. It provides clear insights for managers to reformulate and reanalyze their organizational policies to get employees' positive attitudinal and behavioural outcomes.
Contractor selection for green buildings based on the fuzzy Kano model and TOPSIS: a developer satisfaction perspective
Authors: Cai Jin , Li Zhongfu , Dou Yudan , Teng Yue , Yuan Mengqi
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Contractor selection is critical in green buildings (GBs) since the preferred contractor has the responsibility to achieve construction sustainability as well as relationship sustainability. The developer satisfaction reflecting requirements can boost the cooperative relationship among stakeholders and act as an evaluation scale for the success of GB projects, which needs to be emphasized in the selection process but little involved in the existing research. This study explores improving GB contractor (GBC) selection by integrating developer satisfaction into selection procedures.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic framework of GBC selection including twenty-five criteria from literature review and experts survey is firstly constructed. Both tactical and strategic criteria are further classified into Kano categories (must-be, one-dimensional, and attractive categories) using the fuzzy Kano model (FKM), and weighted by the developer satisfaction index. The model proposed by this study combining FKM and TOPSIS divides the selection process into the filtration phase and selection phase by Kano categories. The proposed model is finally verified through performance comparison among multiple methods in a case.

Findings

Selection criteria are measured linearly and nonlinearly, showing criteria having nonlinear satisfaction change accounts for two-thirds of all. Criteria at tactical level tend to be must-be or one-dimensional categories for the developer, and most strategic criteria are classed as the attractive category, indicating that adding strategic criteria is necessary for long-term cooperation. The proposed model, using developer satisfaction to improve the selection process, ensures the selected GBC to be the most satisfactory with requirements of the developer and makes the performance of GBCs easily distinguishable.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge for promoting relationship sustainability by supplementing an integrated model with emphasis on developer satisfaction in GBC selection, so as to establish a good initial foundation due to the match between performances of GBCs and needs of developers. It not only helps maximize developer satisfaction in GBC selection by applying satisfaction to pre-construction management, but also instructs GBCs to prioritize performance improvements. The framework is also conducive for developers to classify selection criteria and select other participants (like green suppliers) from the satisfaction perspective in GBs.
Skills audits: an integrative literature review
Authors: McGuire David , McVicar Orla , Tariq Umm E. Habiba
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Skills audits represent an important vehicle for analysing and monitoring skills coverage across organisations and nations and identifying skills gaps and mismatches that exist. In so doing, they provide valuable data on the competitive positioning of organisations and nations and help determine priorities for investment. The purpose of this paper is to examine the use and prevalence of skills audits to improve individual, organisational and societal outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the guidance of Torraco (2016), this paper takes the form of an integrative literature review. The authors conducted a series of keyword searches using databases such as Google Scholar, ABI Inform, Science Direct and Emerald. Title word searches used the terms: “skills audit”, “skills analysis”, “skills inventory”, “skills mapping” and the authors reviewed articles that were published between the period: 1990 to 2020.

Findings

Skills audits remain a useful tool to assess skill attainment and progression on university and college programmes, giving individuals a better understanding of their particular strengths and allowing them to develop realistic career plans and goals. From an organisational perspective, skill audits add value where they are strategically linked to job design, recruitment and training initiatives. They are also useful in helping organisations identify skill shortages, particularly if they relate skills outages to future growth areas. Finally, skills audits can sustain career counselling, but need to remain flexible in categorising skills in relation to the gig economy and remote working.

Originality/value

The topic of skills audits remains an under-researched topic in the training and human resource development literature. To date, limited studies have been carried out examining their use and effectiveness. This paper sheds light on a topic worthy of exploration in the field.
Zoning design of pressure comfort for women's shaping pants based on a new material made by the LRJ40/1F warp-knitting machine
Authors: Yin Wei
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Zoning design of pressure comfort of women's shaping pants is studied in this paper based on the new material made by the LRJ40/1F warp-knitting machine.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the distribution of body fat and the pressure comfort range of the shaping pants, zoning design is carried out. The pressure comfort of the women's shaping pants is tested by the objective pressure test and the subjective evaluation method.

Findings

The result is that using the method of zoning design can satisfy the comfort of the lower limbs while improving the mobility and plasticity.

Originality/value

Pressure comfort has become an important index to evaluate the comfort of elastic shaping pants. However, there were very few studies on the relationship between the pressure comfort of warp-knitted elastic pants and the design of jacquard organization in China and abroad.
Stalking and the role of occupational therapy “you’re not living life to the full if you’re stalking”
Authors: Wheatley Rachael , Baker Sam
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This discussion paper aims to highlight the role of occupational therapy (OT) in understanding stalking and in interventions designed to assist the perpetrator to lead a more fulfilling life through healthier occupations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study highlights the role of OT in understanding stalking and in designing interventions to assist the perpetrator by extending discussions, drawing on the authors’ practitioner experiences and upon recent study findings on what drives men who stalk.

Findings

Stalking is a problem behaviour that is often effort-intense, all-consuming, emotionally driven and psychologically damaging for both victims and perpetrators. It consists of a patterned occupation of time which is overarchingly dysfunctional, yet intrinsically purposeful. As humans, our actions and occupations have meaning to us. Stalking can be conceptualised as a meaningful yet self-defeating and harmful pattern of occupations. This paper illustrates how stalking could be addressed through the additional contribution of OT to multi-agency approaches.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends the discussion by drawing on the authors’ clinical practitioner experiences and upon recent study findings on what drives men who stalk.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the role of OT in understanding stalking and in interventions designed to assist the perpetrator to lead a more fulfilling life through healthier occupations.

Originality/value

This marriage of knowledge from OT and stalking research is set out in support of the application of OT within multi-agency approaches to working with people who stalk.
Key performance factors for integration of Industry 4.0 and sustainable supply chains: a perspective of Indian manufacturing industry
Authors: Gopal PRC , Kadari Punitha , Thakkar Jitesh J. , Mawandiya Bimal Kumar
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key performance factors that can lead toward sustainability in the Industry 4.0 supply chains of manufacturing industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire is used to collect the data from manufacturing sector to prioritize the factors, which integrates both Industry 4.0 and sustainability. For this, stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method is used to obtain the weights for criteria and sub-criteria to prioritize the factors.

Findings

The present study brings the findings about five key performance factors. Social factor needs much attention among all the criteria, followed by ecological, economic, information technology and dynamic capability theory. Further, change management, third-party audits and novel business models are key sub-factors to improve performance of sustainability in Industry 4.0 supply chains.

Practical implications

This study prioritized the performance factors of Industry 4.0 and sustainable supply chain in Indian manufacturing sector. These prioritized factors help to improve performance of organizations, which are practicing the Industry 4.0 and sustainability practices. Managers in manufacturing industries can use the SWARA for assessment of weights for the criteria and sub-criteria factors to take appropriate decisions to improve the organizations’ performance.

Originality/value

Managers in manufacturing industry can use these prioritized factors to improve the performance of their supply chains.
CIO equity compensation and IT investment: the moderating role of board monitoring and evidence of managerial myopia
Authors: Turedi Serdar , Erkan-Barlow Asligul
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of managerial myopia on information technology (IT) investment. Specifically, it aims to investigate the influence of chief information officer (CIO) compensation on IT investment and the moderating role of the board monitoring strength on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines a sample of 194 firms listed on US stock exchanges with a CIO position in 2019. The authors employ hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The results show that CIO compensation negatively influences IT investment. Further, even though vigilant board monitoring does not necessarily reduce such opportunistic behaviors, weak board monitoring creates an environment for such actions.

Research limitations/implications

First, the cross-sectional data can limit the results' generalizability. Second, the sampling frame is not perfectly random as it consists of firms that have CIO compensation information in the ExecuComp for 2019. Third, we include only two measures of board monitoring strength.

Practical implications

Board of directors should wisely select compensation packages' components since equity incentives potentially exacerbate managerial myopia. Moreover, firms may regulate CIOs' investment behaviors through board-level IT governance.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies that utilize CIO sensitivity to measure CIO compensation. Moreover, by examining the factors affecting IT investment behavior, this study sheds light on CIO incentives' impact on IT investment behaviors. Finally, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate board monitoring's role in the relationship between CIO sensitivity and IT investment intensity.
Inhibition of PSD95‐nNOS protein–protein interactions decreases morphine reward and relapse vulnerability in rats
Authors: Oliva Idaira , Saberi Shahin A. , Rangel‐Barajas Claudia , Iyer Vishakh , Bunner Kendra D. , Lai Yvonne Y. , Kulkarni Pushkar M. , Garai Sumanta , Thakur Ganesh A. , Crystal Jonathon D. , Rebec George V. , Hohmann Andrea G.
Published: August 2022

Glutamate signalling through the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activates the enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to produce the signalling molecule nitric oxide (NO). We hypothesized that disruption of the protein–protein interaction between nNOS and the scaffolding protein postsynaptic density 95 kDa (PSD95) would block NMDAR‐dependent NO signalling and represent a viable therapeutic route to decrease opioid reward and relapse‐like behaviour without the unwanted side effects of NMDAR antagonists. We used a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to evaluate the impact of two small‐molecule PSD95‐nNOS inhibitors, IC87201 and ZL006, on the rewarding effects of morphine. Both IC87201 and ZL006 blocked morphine‐induced CPP at doses that lacked intrinsic rewarding or aversive properties. Furthermore, in vivo fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) was used to ascertain the impact of ZL006 on morphine‐induced increases in dopamine (DA) efflux in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAc shell) evoked by electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). ZL006 attenuated morphine‐induced increases in DA efflux at a dose that did not have intrinsic effects on DA transmission. We also employed multiple intravenous drug self‐administration approaches to examine the impact of ZL006 on the reinforcing effects of morphine. Interestingly, ZL006 did not alter acquisition or maintenance of morphine self‐administration, but reduced lever pressing in a morphine relapse test after forced abstinence. Our results provide behavioural and neurochemical support for the hypothesis that inhibition of PSD95‐nNOS protein–protein interactions decreases morphine reward and relapse‐like behaviour, highlighting a previously unreported application for these novel therapeutics in the treatment of opioid addiction.
The Making(s) of an Alternative Urban Policy: What Happens When Free Fares Come to Town?
Authors: Kębłowski Wojciech
Published: August 2022

While many urban policies and practices claim to offer an “alternative” to the “mainstream” of urban entrepreneurialism, they remain under‐theorised and prone to alignment with entrepreneurial agendas. In this paper I examine fare‐free public transport (FFPT) as a salient example of an alternative urban policy. Looking at Aubagne (France) and Tallinn (Estonia), I explore what happens when an alternative policy “comes to town”. I detect how FFPT enters local urban regimes, and study the (non‐)participation of public transport passengers and workers in the decision‐making process about whether and how to abolish public transport fares. My analysis reveals that albeit alternative policies such as FFPT seem to oppose entrepreneurialism, they may hinge on urban regimes that span across institutions, leave the local configurations of power unchallenged, and strenghten local elites. The adaptability of alternatives to diverse political and intellectual positions explains their resilience. Consequently, their radical character cannot be taken for granted and remains an object of political struggle.
Quality of fetal heart rate monitoring with transabdominal fetal ECG during maternal movement in labor: A prospective study
Authors: Reis‐de‐Carvalho Catarina , Nogueira Paulo , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Transabdominal electrocardiographic (TAfECG) acquisition of fetal heart rate (FHR) signals has recently been introduced into leading commercial cardiotocographic (CTG) monitors. Continuous wireless transmission of signals has raised the possibility of the technology being used during maternal mobilization in labor. This study aims to evaluate signal quality and accuracy of TAfECG acquisition of FHR signals during static and active maternal positions in labor when compared with Doppler signals and with the gold‐standard method of fetal scalp electrode (FSE).

Material and Methods

A total of 76 women with singleton term pregnancies in the active first stage of labor had simultaneously acquired FHR with TAfECG, Doppler, and FSE. Participants were asked to complete a supervised mobilization scheme, comprising five sequential 10‐min periods of lying down, standing, sitting, walking, and rocking on the birthing ball. The three FHR signals were compared, defining signal loss as the percentage of signals under 20 bpm or exceeding 250 bpm and accuracy as the difference with FSE values. Computer analysis was used to quantify variability, accelerations, and decelerations. Static labor positions (lying down, standing, and sitting) were compared with active labor positions (walking and rocking on the birthing ball).

Results

Average signal loss was 5.3% with TAfECG (3.2% in static and 7.4% in active positions) and 15.5% with Doppler (8.3% in static and 30.7% in active positions). Average accuracy was 3.5 bpm with TAfECG (1.9 bpm in static and 5.04 bpm in active positions) and 13.9 bpm with Doppler (3.2 bpm in static and 24.7 bpm in active positions). Average variability was similar with TAfECG and FSE in static positions but significantly higher with TAfECG in active positions (23.6 vs. 13.5 bpm, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In static labor positions, TAfECG provides a low signal loss, similar to that obtained with FSE, and a good signal accuracy, so the technique can be considered reliable when the mother is lying down, standing, or sitting. During maternal movement, TAfECG causes an artificial increase in FHR variability, which can cause false reassurance regarding fetal oxygenation. Doppler signals are unreliable during maternal movements.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for COVID‐19: An evolving experience through multiple waves
Authors: Smith Nathan J. , Park Sarah , Zundel M. Tracy , Dong Huaying , Szabo Aniko , Cain Michael T. , Durham Lucian A.
Published: August 2022

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has shown variable results in COVID‐19 pneumonia however, some evidence supports benefit. Here we compare our institution's ECMO outcomes across multiple waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

All patients who received ECMO for COVID‐19 between March 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, were reviewed. Patients received venovenous (VV) or right ventricular assist device (RVAD/ECMO) ECMO. Early (March 1–July 6, 2020, Era 1) and late (July 7, 2020–March 1, 2021, Era 2) pandemic RVAD/ECMO patients were compared.

Results

Fifty‐four patients received ECMO of which 16 (29.6%) patients received VV ECMO and 38 (70.4%) RVAD/ECMO. Median age was 53.0 years, body mass index 36.1 kg/m2, 41.2% female, and 49% Caucasian. The most common pre‐cannulation treatments included steroids (79.6%) and convalescent plasma (70.4%). Median time from admission to cannulation was 7.0 days. Median support time was 30.5 days (VV ECMO 35.0 days, RVAD/ECMO 26.0 days). In‐ hospital mortality was 42.6% (39.5% RVAD/ECMO, 50.0% VV ECMO). Significant morbidities included infection (80.8%), bleeding events (74.5%), and renal replacement therapy (30.8%). Cumulative mortality 120‐days post‐cannulation was 45.7% (VV ECMO 60.8%, RVAD/ECMO 40.0%). RVAD/ECMO Era 1 demonstrated a significantly lower cumulative mortality (16.2%) compared to Era 2 (60.4%). Competing risk analysis found age (HR 0.95, [95% CI 0.92, 0.98] p = 0.005) to be a protective factor for survival.

Conclusion

ECMO support for COVID‐19 is beneficial but carries significant morbidity. RVAD/ECMO support demonstrated consistent advantages in survival to VV‐ECMO, but with declining efficacy across time during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Sensation, spirituality, and Deleuze: Becoming‐colour through Katharina Grosse's explosive artworks
Authors: de La Herrán Iriarte Carlota
Published: August 2022

Amidst a pandemic‐ridden world, in which esoteric practices, conspiracy theories, and alternative spiritual movements are gathering growing popularity, turning the spotlight on spirituality can be seen as a problematic move that some might feel tempted to reject outright. However, rather than reifying the belief‐driven pretensions traditionally upheld by religion, in this paper, I wish to propose a different outlook on spirituality, one which is linked to those inexplicable, visceral sensations engendered by German artist Katharina Grosse's explosive use of colour. To do this, I turn to the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze, who when affirming the non‐representational, spiritual potencies inherent to art provides the conceptual means through which to address such relationship. Specifically, Deleuze places the emphasis on his concept of sensation, which speaks neither of subject nor object. Indeed, by apprehending those in‐between, intensive moments in which a visual work of art stimulates our eyes, mind, and body, sensation foregrounds an immanent, and not transcendent, understanding of spirituality. This immanent understanding of spirituality refers to the pre‐individual forces and processes from the outside through which sensation enables us to precursively experience what the spiritual looks and feels like, yet without enforcing a dogmatic pathway to follow. Thus, by combining my reflections on Deleuze's thinking on sensation with creative vignettes based on an online ethnographic study of Grosse's artworks, the paper presents three methodological pointers: (1) Confronting the in‐betweenness of sensation, (2) Experimenting with the precursive force of language, and (3) Unleashing the literary power of becoming. Through them, I show how geographers might rethink their engagements with art as having more to do with an aesthetically induced, micro‐subjective journey into their spiritual becoming than with an intentional encounter. I conclude the paper by discussing the ethico‐political implications that endorsing an ethos of sensation might have for geography and beyond.
Financialization and the rise of atypical work
Authors: Gouzoulis Giorgos , Iliopoulos Panagiotis (Takis) , Galanis Giorgos
Published: August 2022

The current literature on financialization and the labour process focuses disproportionately on how corporate financialization induces the use of atypical work and largely overlooks the role of household financialization. This paper presents several mechanisms through which household debt and pension fund financialization increase the financial insecurity of employees, which, in turn, can curb their resistance to accepting such work contracts. To assess our arguments, we estimate the effects of corporate and household financialization on involuntary part‐time and temporary employment, using a panel dataset of OECD economies. Our findings provide robust support that financialization increases significantly non‐standard employment rates for the total workforce and women, but less for older employees.
Collective nostalgia: Triggers and consequences for collective action intentions
Authors: Smeekes Anouk , Sedikides Constantine , Wildschut Tim
Published: August 2022

Global trends surveys suggest that collective nostalgia for one's country is widespread. Moreover, research indicates that collective nostalgia is used by populist radical‐right parties to mobilize their voters against immigration. We focused on antecedents of collective nostalgia and its consequences for collective action in the context of national identity. In particular, we hypothesized that collective nostalgia for the country's past is triggered by a sense of collective discontinuity and subsequently engenders collective action intentions to protect the national ingroup and limit the presence of immigrant outgroups. We tested this hypothesis in a three‐wave longitudinal cross‐lagged panel study (N = 1489) among native Dutch majority members. The results were consistent with the hypothesis. The findings highlight the relevance of collective nostalgia as an emotional response to collective discontinuity that drives collective action intentions aimed at protecting ingroup continuity. We discuss implications of the findings for the literature on collective nostalgia and group dynamics as well as the broader literature on collective action and provide directions for future research.