bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shifting responsibilities: A qualitative study of how young people assume responsibility from their parents for self‐management of their chronic kidney disease
Authors: Nightingale Ruth , McHugh Gretl A. , Swallow Veronica , Kirk Sue
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The responsibility for managing a long‐term condition (LTC) such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically transfers from parent to child, as children become older. However, children can find it challenging to become independent at managing their LTC, and evidence for how healthcare professionals (HCPs) support transfer of responsibility is limited. This study aimed to explore how young people with CKD assume responsibility for managing their condition and the HCP's role during this process.

Methods

Sampling, qualitative data collection and analysis were guided by a constructivist grounded theory approach. Individual and dyadic interviews, and focus groups, were conducted with 16 young people aged 13–17 years with CKD, 13 parents and 20 HCPs.

Findings

A grounded theory,shifting responsibilities, was developed that provides new insights into how young people's, parents' and HCPs' constructions of the transfer of responsibility differed. These diverse constructions contributed to multiple uncertainties around the role of HCPs, when the process started and was completed and whether the endpoint of the process was young people's self‐management or young person–parent shared management.

Conclusion

Families would benefit from HCP support over a longer timeframe that integrates assuming self‐management responsibility with gaining independence in other areas of their lives and focuses on young people ‘doing’ self‐management.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patient and public involvement was integrated throughout the study, with young adults with CKD and parents who had a child with CKD actively involved in the study's design and delivery.
Middle Holocene relative sea‐level changes and vertical tectonic crustal movements on Shikoku Island near the Nankai Trough, Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Tatsuhiko , Nanayama Futoshi , Nakanishi Toshimichi , Tsuji Tomohiro , Ikeda Michiharu , Kondo Yasuo , Miwa Michiko , Hamada Yohei
Published: June 2022

The Philippine Sea plate subducts beneath the Eurasia plate at the Nankai Trough, northwestern Pacific, causing crustal deformation, mega‐thrust earthquakes, and tsunami events. Shikoku Island, 150 km northwest of the trough, experiences both coseismic and interseismic deformation. Coastal sediments potentially record vertical crustal movements as relative sea level (RSL) changes. We studied sedimentary facies and microfossil ostracodes in core SKM from southwestern Shikoku Island for evidence of middle Holocene tsunami events and deformation. The core sediments included nine event layers corresponding to storm or tsunami events. Using modern analog techniques, we estimated RSLs from the ostracode assemblages of core SKM and 13 other cores from Shikoku Island and the surrounding region. Then, we subtracted RSL changes due to glacio‐hydro isostatic adjustment from the estimated RSLs to estimate vertical tectonic movement rates in these cores between 8.6 and 4.7 ka. The inferred RSL changes suggest that the Sukumo site has experienced both uplift and subsidence since 8.6 ka. Before 6.6 ka, rates of tectonic crustal movement were higher than the modern‐day rate, and its spatial distribution also differed. After 6.6 ka, tectonic crustal movement showed a similar spatial pattern and occurred at rates close to the modern day interseismic rate. The spatial pattern and rates of tectonic crustal movement could be caused by changes in rupture areas between the Eurasia and the Philippine Sea plates beneath the Shikoku Island and in stress condition of the asthenosphere. Some of the vertical displacements can be explained by the movements of local active faults.
Cyberloafing behaviours in nursing: The role of nursing stressors
Authors: Alqahtani Naji , Innab Adnan , Alammar Kamila , Alkhateeb Reham , Kerari Ali , Alharbi Mohammad
Published: June 2022

Aim

To assess the prevalence of minor and serious cyberloafing behaviours among nurses and examine the impact of the nursing stressors on nurses' cyberloafing behaviours.

Background

Cyberloafing could have a negative influence on employees' job performance, but it also has been argued that it could serve as a coping mechanism to deal with stressful work environments.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive, correlational design.

Methods

Data were collected between September and December 2020 from a convenience sample of staff nurses (N = 291) providing care at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Sample characteristics, nursing stressors and cyberloafing behaviours information were collected using self‐reported questionnaires. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Findings

Nurses in Saudi Arabia exhibited low levels of minor and serious cyberloafing behaviours. However, they engaged more frequently in minor cyberloafing behaviours more than serious cyberloafing behaviours. Stressors and Internet usage frequency influenced the frequency of minor and serious cyberloafing behaviours. Level of education and nationality impacted serious cyberloafing behaviours only.

Conclusion

Nursing stressors were associated with cyberloafing behaviours. Other studies on cyberloafing and job stress yielded inconsistent results. Efforts should be taken to avoid the adverse effects of cyberloafing by establishing a clear policy on using the advanced technology for non‐work purposes.
Evaluation of distinct modes of oxidative secondary injury generated in heat-treated cells of Escherichia coli with solid/liquid and complex/semi-synthetic media sets
Authors: Vo Khanh C. , Wada Akihiro , Iwata Riyo , Asada Ryoko , Sakamoto Jin J. , Furuta Masakazu , Tsuchido Tetsuaki
Published: June 2022

Aims

To characterize and evaluate oxidative secondary injury generated in heat-treated Escherichia coli cells during recovery cultivation either on agar or in a broth of a semi-synthetic enriched M9 (EM9) medium and a complex Luria broth (LB) medium with different types of antioxidants.

Methods and Results

E. coli cells grown in the EM9 and LB broth were heated at 50°C in a buffer (pH 7.0). Heated cells were recovered on the same kind of agar medium as that used for growth, with or without different antioxidants. Although these antioxidants mostly protected the cells from oxidative secondary injury on the recovery media, sodium thiosulphate and sodium pyruvate were most protective on EM9 and LB agars, respectively. Determination of viability using the most probable number and growth delay analysis methods showed significant reductions in the protective effects of antioxidants in the EM9 and LB media.

Conclusion

Oxidative secondary injury generated in heated E. coli cells was found to be qualitatively and quantitatively diverse under cellular and environmental conditions.

Significance and impact of the study

Our results suggest that different modes of oxidation should be considered in viability determination and injured cell enumeration of heat-treated cells.
Factors associated with uncontrolled blood pressure in hypertensive Brazilians
Authors: Araújo Thayza de Paula , Borges Lucas Gabriel Sulino , Barroso Weimar Kunz Sebba , Brandão Andrea Araújo , Barbosa Eduardo Costa Duarte , Feitosa Audes Diógenes M , Malachias Marcus Vinícius Bolivar , Mota Gomes Marco , Amodeo Celso , Povoa Rui Manoel dos Santos , Jardim Paulo César Brandão Veiga , Lopes Renato D. , Batista Sandro Rogério Rodrigues , Vitorino Priscila Valverde de Oliveira ,   the researchers of Study I RBH
Published: June 2022

Uncontrolled hypertension has a high prevalence and is related to numerous negative health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the lack of blood pressure control in hypertensive Brazilians treated in public and private services. This is an analytical, multicentric, and national cross‐sectional study, carried out with adult hypertensive patients, monitored in 45 outpatient clinics (September 2013 to October 2015) in a prospective record interview, clinical, and anthropometric assessment. Outcome variables included uncontrolled pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg). Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Two thousand six hundred forty‐three participants were assessed with a mean age of 61.6 ± 11.9 years, 55.7% of women, and 46.4% with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). The following were associated with uncontrolled BP: age over 60 years (OR: 1.31 [1.11–1.55]); practice of irregular physical activity (OR: 1.28 [1.06–1.55]); attending the emergency room for hypertensive crises in the last six months (OR: 1.80 [1.46–2.22]); increased body mass index (OR: 1.02 [1.01–1.04]); low adherence to drug treatment (OR: 1.22 [1.04–1.44]) and menopause (OR: 1.36 [1.07–1.72]). The following were negatively associated: fruit consumption (OR: 0.90 [0.85–0.94]); presence of dyslipidemia (OR: 0.75 [0.64–0.89]), acute myocardial infarction (OR: 0.59 [0.46–0.76]), and peripheral arterial disease (OR: 0.52 [0.34‐0.78]). Factors associated with difficult‐to‐control blood pressure are the same that increase the risk for hypertension, while the presence of atherosclerotic disease and its outcomes were associated with better control.
Annexin‐1 is an oncogene in glioblastoma and causes tumour immune escape through the indirect upregulation of interleukin‐8
Authors: Chen Rui , Chen Chengqi , Han Na , Guo Wenjing , Deng Hui , Wang Yali , Ding Yanpeng , Zhang Mengxian
Published: June 2022

Annexin‐1 (ANXA1) is widely reported to be deregulated in various cancers and is involved in tumorigenesis. However, its effects on glioblastoma (GBM) remain unclear. Using immunohistochemistry with tissue microarrays, we showed that ANXA1 was overexpressed in GBM, positively correlated with higher World Health Organization (WHO) grades of glioma, and negatively associated with poor survival. To further explore its role and the underlying molecular mechanism in GBM, we constructed ANXA1shRNA U87 and U251 cell lines for further experiments. ANXA1 downregulation suppressed GBM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and enhanced their radiosensitivity. Furthermore, we determined that ANXA1 was involved in dendritic cell (DC) maturation in patients with GBM and that DC infiltration was inversely proportional to GBM prognosis. Considering that previous reports have shown that Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) is associated with DC migration and maturation and is correlated with NF‐κB transcriptional regulation, we examined IL‐8 and p65 subunit expressions and p65 phosphorylation levels in GBM cells under an ANXA1 knockdown. These results suggest that ANXA1 significantly promotes IL‐8 production and p65 phosphorylation levels. We inferred that ANXA1 is a potential biomarker and a candidate therapeutic target for GBM treatment and may mediate tumour immune escape through NF‐kB (p65) activation and IL‐8 upregulation.
Publishing clinical prActice GuidelinEs (PAGE): Recommendations from editors and reviewers
Authors: Yang Nan , Zhao Wei , Qi Wenan , Yao Chen , Dong Chongya , Zhai Zhenguo , Chen Tong , Liu Enmei , Li Guobao , Long Youlin , Wang Xinyi , Wang Zijun , Lei Ruobing , Zhou Qi , Chen Yaolong , Du Liang ,   TERM Working Group
Published: June 2022

Transparency Ecosystem for Research and Journals in Medicine (TERM) Working Group summarized the essential recommendations that should be considered to review and publish a high‐quality guideline. These recommendations from editors and reviewers included the ten components of essential requirements: systematic review of existing relevant guidelines, guideline registration, guideline protocol, stakeholders, conflicts of interest, clinical questions, systematic reviews, recommendation consensus, guideline reporting, and external review. TERM Working Group abbreviates them as PAGE (essential requirements for Publishing clinical prActice GuidelinEs), recommends guideline authors, editors, and peer reviewers use them for high‐quality guidelines.
Periodic operation as an alternative to intensify the hydration process of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Authors: Carvalho Vanessa Souza , de Oliveira Lucas Carvalho , de Matos Jorge Luiz Mário , Jorge Regina Maria Matos
Published: June 2022

The goal of this work was to improve upon already existing hydration kinetic studies for the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) by evaluating periodic action by means of temperature modulation as a method for intensifying the process, a theme that has been little explored in the literature. Bean grains were hydrated for 10 h under isothermal operation at 30, 40, and 50°C, as well as under periodic operation at an average temperature of 40°C, with an amplitude of 10°C and a period of 5 min. Peleg and Diffusion models were used to fit the hydration kinetic curves from the experimental data, which exhibited a satisfactory quality of fit for all conditions. The values of the model parameters revealed that hydration under periodic operation exhibits a greater rate and water absorption capacity as compared to isothermal operations, providing the same moisture gain as hydration at 40°C with a process time reduction of 65%. DSC analysis revealed that starch extracted from in natura beans undergoes gelatinization at 74.6°C, a temperature not used in the hydration tests; therefore, the starch structure was preserved, as shown by the images recorded using SEM. The study made it possible to confirm that periodic operation under the evaluated conditions may be advantageous for use in bean hydration, since a reduction in processing time results in savings of both energy and water. Thus, this academic knowledge can be useful both for well‐established industries, such as ready‐to‐eat beans, and for the development of new products.

Practical Applications

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is one of the most commonly consumed legumes worldwide, being an important source of protein. Beans are usually hydrated in order to reduce their antinutrient content and facilitate subsequent processes (such as cooking, germination, etc.), although this process is time‐consuming and requires a great deal of water and energy consumption. In this sense, the periodic operation can enable the intensification of the bean hydration process, requiring less time to reach a specified moisture content and consequently providing an increase in processing capacity, with less water consumption and energy costs. Currently, there are several industries that sell ready‐to‐eat beans (whether canned, vacuumed, or in plastic packaging) that use the grain hydration stage, and therefore could benefit from this innovative method. In addition, the academic knowledge generated also supports the development of new products.
The perceived costs and benefits of mentoring college students with intellectual disability on stereotype consistent and inconsistent tasks
Authors: McManus J. L. , Reed C. , Saucier D. A.
Published: June 2022

Background

According to the stereotype content model, individuals with intellectual disability are perceived as having greater warmth‐related traits (e.g. sociable and humorous) and fewer competence‐related traits (e.g. independence and intelligence).

Methods

We examined college students' perceived costs and benefits of mentoring peers with intellectual disability on stereotype‐consistent (i.e. socially oriented) or inconsistent (i.e. academically oriented) tasks. Participants read about peer mentoring programmes that helped college students with or without intellectual disability on socially or academically oriented tasks before reporting their perceived costs and benefits of peer mentoring.

Results

Mentoring students with intellectual disability was associated with greater benefits (i.e. connectedness between mentors and students, student utility and mentor benefits) on academically oriented tasks but greater costs for mentors on socially oriented tasks. Additionally, participants reported that they would experience greater positive feelings if they were to mentor a student with an intellectual disability. However, the perceived benefits to the student and some costs (i.e. discomfort, paternalism and costs to student) were not influenced by whether the student had an intellectual disability and the type of mentoring task.

Discussion

Results indicate individuals find greater rewards working with individuals with intellectual disability on stereotype‐inconsistent tasks and offer suggestions for postsecondary education peer mentoring programmes.
Multilayered silicone foam dressings potentially used for preventing recurrence of pressure injuries: A bench‐to‐clinical bedside study
Authors: Kohta Masushi , Urai Tamae , Saad Supriadi Syafiie , Sugama Junko
Published: June 2022

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the use of multilayered silicone foam dressings for preventing pressure injury recurrence by reducing friction, pressure, and shear force at skin sites where previous pressure injuries closed.

Methods

A bench‐to‐clinical bedside investigation was conducted. In the bench, three multilayered silicone foam dressings were assessed. The simulated skin‐shearing test consisted of a weight, a polyurethane‐based skin model containing a three‐axis tactile sensor, dressings, a table covered with bedsheets, and a mechanical tester. The mechanical tester simultaneously measured the interface friction force and internal shear force and pressure continuously during skin model movements. No‐dressing was used as a negative control. In clinical bedside assessments, a multilayered silicone foam dressing with lower friction and shear force was applied to two bedridden patients. Photographs and ultrasound images were used to assess the recurrence of pressure injury.

Results

The dressings significantly reduced friction, pressure, and shear force compared with these parameters in the negative control. No significant differences in the shear forces between the dressings were observed. One clinical case did not develop a new pressure injury reaching the dermis. However, the second case developed a new pressure injury within one month after the first pressure injury closed.

Conclusion

Our bench‐to‐clinical bedside study revealed that multilayered silicone foam dressings can potentially prevent pressure injury recurrence.
Significant paradigm of beauty ecosystem after COVID‐19 pandemic in Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Minchae , Kwon Ki Han
Published: June 2022

Background

The beauty industry, one of the face‐to‐face the essential industries in the COVID‐19 pandemic, has been hit hard.

Aims

We present the current state of the beauty ecosystem in the corona pandemic and the future direction of the beauty industry after COVID‐19.

Methods

This review paper is a literature review, and a descriptive review approach was used in this study. A total of 100–150 references were selected using representative journal search sites such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopers, Research Gate, and RISS, and a total of 24 papers were finally selected as of 2017–2022 using PRISMA flow diagram.

Results

In Korea, the beauty industry, which is essential to face‐to‐face due to COVID‐19, was hit hard. The contraction of consumer sentiment led to a drop in sales. The online market has become more active as offline activities have declined sharply. Even during the COVID‐19 era, the Republic of Korea is an IT powerhouse. With the widespread use of K‐drama and K‐pop, the interest in Korean beauty and fashion has increased rapidly throughout the world. Therefore, K‐Makeup, hair, skincare, and nailcare are all the rage through YouTube. Predict new changes in the Korean beauty industry market, which is the center of K‐beauty and K‐cosmetics. As a leader in the beauty industry, the Republic of Korea will present the sustainability of the beauty ecosystem and the direction of its development.
Patient and carer experience of living with a pressure injury: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Burston Adam , Miles Sandra J. , Fulbrook Paul
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Pressure injuries are a significant cause of harm, contributing to increased mortality and financial burden on the healthcare system. Significant research on pressure injury risk assessment, prevention and treatment exists, but limited research exploring the patient and carer experience of living with pressure injury.

Aims

The aim of this meta‐synthesis was to describe the patient and carer experience of living with a pressure injury.

Design

Meta‐synthesis.

Methods

A prospective review protocol was registered, and systematic search conducted across five electronic databases. The PRISMA 2020 checklist for reporting systematic reviews was used. Two reviewers independently undertook screening and review of articles, using the CASP checklist for evaluating qualitative research. A meta‐synthesis using thematic content analysis was undertaken.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta‐synthesis led to the construction of three primary themes: loss of autonomy and independence, psychological effects, and adjustment. Within these primary themes, sub‐themes of dependence, social isolation and social avoidance behaviours, feelings and emotions, loss, managing, physical consequences, service provision, and functional challenges, were identified.

Conclusion

The psychology and mindset of those involved, and support to navigate the challenges that arise are two unique and clinically relevant categorisations to guide provision of pressure injury care. Adaptation to a pressure injury is multi‐faceted and contextual, challenges to adaptation create additional psychological burden. Interventions encompassing all facets of the experience are necessary. Current research into experiences is limited, and further research to support interventions is necessary.
Pharmacological potential of seaweed-associated heterotrophic Firmicutes
Authors: Asharaf S. , Chakraborty K.
Published: June 2022

Seaweed-associated bacterial symbionts are sources of potential pharmacological properties. The present study resulted in the culture-dependent isolation of bioactive heterotrophs belonging to the bacterial phylum Firmicutes, which were dominated more than 30% of the 127 cultivable isolates, amongst which 23 of them showed potential antimicrobial activities against a wide range of pathogens. The symbionts isolated from the seaweed Sargassum wightii showed significant bioactivity. Those were characterized as Bacillus safensis MTCC13040, B. valismortis MTCC13041, B. velezensis MTCC13044, B. methylotrophicus MTCC13042, Oceanobacillus profundus MTCC13045, B. tequilensis MTCC13043, and B. altitudinis MTCC13046. The organic extracts of the studied isolates showed potential antimicrobial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (minimum inhibitory concentration 6·25–12·5 μg ml−1). The organic extract of B. altitudinis MTCC13046 displayed significantly greater radical quenching ability (IC90 133 μg ml−1, P < 0·05) other than attenuating hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (IC90 10·21 μg ml−1, P < 0·05) and angiotensin-converting enzyme-1 (IC90 498 μg ml−1, P < 0·05) relative to other studied heterotrophs. The organic extract of B. tequilensis MTCC13043 displayed significantly greater attenuation potential against pro-inflammatory 5-lipooxygenase (IC90 5·94 μg ml−1, P < 0·05) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (IC90 271 μg ml−1, P < 0·05). The seaweed-associated B. altitudinis MTCC13046 and B. tequilensis MTCC13043 could be used to develop promising pharmacological leads.
Robust Correlates of Growth Spells: Do Inequality and Redistribution Matter?
Authors: Kourtellos Andros , Tsangarides Charalambos G.
Published: June 2022

This article investigates the relationship between inequality, redistribution, and the duration of growth spells in the presence of a rich set of alternative determinants, by explicitly accounting for model uncertainty using model averaging for duration models. We find that lower net inequality is associated with longer growth spells. Redistribution does not appear to be correlated with the duration of growth spells. In addition, there is no evidence of nonlinearities in the inequality–redistribution–growth spell relationship. Finally, lower initial income, higher secondary education, and higher FDI are associated with longer spell duration.
Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Lumbosacral Junction Adolescent Lumbar Disc Herniation with High Iliac Crests
Authors: Mao Lu , Wang Kun , Huang Yong , Wang Feng , Zhang Rui , Zhu Bin , Wu Xiaotao
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate the clinical results of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy for lumbosacral junction adolescent lumbar disc herniation with high iliac crest.

Methods

From February 2014 to September 2020, a retrospective analysis of 96 patients less than 21 years old with intervertebral disc herniation was carried out. We enrolled 44 patients diagnosed with lumbosacral junction disc herniation with high iliac crest who required transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy. Pain in the back and the lower extremity was scored on Numeric Rating Scales (NRS) scores. Patient outcomes were graded as excellent, good, fair, and poor using modified MacNab criteria. The NRS scores before and after the operation were compared using the Wilcoxon two‐sample test.

Results

There were 30 male patients and 14 females. One patient underwent repeat surgery for an intervertebral disc pseudocyst. The NRS scores decreased significantly in both early and late follow‐up evaluations (p < 0.05). At the last follow‐up, 42 patients (95.45%) had an excellent outcome, one patient (2.27%) had a good outcome, and one patient (2.27%) had a fair outcome. The overall success rate was 97.7%.

Conclusion

This study's data suggest that targeted individualized foraminoplasty can effectively overcome the lumbosacral anatomical obstacles, and transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy is an effective and valid option for lumbosacral junction adolescent lumbar disc herniation with high iliac crest.
Tibio‐Femoral Contact Force Distribution of Knee Before and After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Combined Finite Element and Gait Analysis
Authors: Du Mingming , Sun Jun , Liu Yancheng , Wang Yingpeng , Yan Songhua , Zeng Jizhou , Zhang Kuan
Published: June 2022

Objective

To assess the tibio‐femoral contact forces before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by three‐dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) models and gait analysis.

Methods

Two hospitalized patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade IV varus KOA and two healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Both patients underwent unilateral TKA. FEA models were established based on CT and MR images of the knees of the patients with KOA and healthy subjects. Gait analysis was performed using a three‐dimensional motion capture system with a force plate. Three direction forces at the ankle joints were calculated by inverse dynamic analysis, which provided the load for the FEA models. The total contact forces of the knee joints were also calculated by inverse dynamic analysis to enable comparisons with the results from the FEA models. The total knee contact forces, maximum von Mises stress, and stress distribution of the medial plateau were compared between the patients and healthy subjects. The distributions of the medial plateau force at 2 and 6 months postoperatively were compared with the distributions of the forces preoperatively and those in the healthy subjects.

Results

During static standing, the medial plateau bore the most of the total contact forces in the knees with varus KOA (90.78% for patient 1 and 93.53% for patient 2) compared with 64.75 ± 3.34% of the total force in the healthy knees. At the first and second peaks of the ground reaction force during the stance phase of a gait cycle, the medial plateau bore a much higher percentage of contact forces in patients with KOA (74.78% and 86.48%, respectively, for patient 1; 70.68% and 83.56%, respectively, for patient 2) than healthy subjects (61.06% ± 3.43% at the first peak and 72.09% ± 1.83% at the second peak). Two months after TKA, the percentages of contact forces on the medial tibial plateau were 79.65%–85.19% at the first and second peaks of ground reaction forces during the stance phase of a gait cycle, and the percentages decreased to 53.99% – 68.13% 6 months after TKA.

Conclusion

FEA showed that TKA effectively restored the distribution of tibio‐femoral contact forces during static standing and walking, especially 6 months after the surgery. The changes in the gait were consistent with the changes in the contact force distribution calculated by the FEA model.
Organizational capacity and ecological restoration
Authors: Galatowitsch Susan
Published: June 2022

Organizations entrusted with responsibilities and resources to repair ecosystems have for many decades pursued their defining purpose against long odds created by a host of inherent challenges, notably the long time frames required for ecological recovery and landscape‐level stressors. Global change compounds these challenges, increasing shocks to the operating environments of these organizations. Interest in assessing organizational capacity to respond to system shocks (i.e. resilience) productively has been strong in many fields, though not in the restoration arena. The objectives of this paper are to build awareness of the importance of organizations for achieving the aims of restoration and to spur organizational research to strengthen the restoration sector. I summarize research on organizations relevant to the restoration sector and with this foundation propose a framework for assessing the capacity of restoration organizations. The proposed framework is an adaptation of models used in other sectors, based on five critical capacities: situation awareness, governance and leadership, internal resources, external relations, and change readiness. We can assess the extent to which an organization possesses each capacity by eliciting feedback about functions linked to each capacity. Devising assessment tools from this framework requires attention to key realities of the restoration sector including prevalence of short‐term funding, effect of externalities on restoration outcomes, dependence on partnerships of multiple organizations for complex and large restorations. Exploration into assessment approaches for restoration organizations highlights a major knowledge gap that, if addressed, could enhance the reliability of restoration as a global and local strategy for improving ecosystems services.
Female labor force participation in Egypt and Palestine: An age–period–cohort analysis*
Authors: Lassassi Moundir , Tansel Aysit
Published: June 2022

This paper considers female labor force participation (FLFP) behavior over the past two decades in two MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries, namely Egypt and Palestine. Low FLFP rates in these countries, as in other MENA countries, are well documented. We conduct synthetic panel analysis using age–period–cohort (APC) methodology and decompose the FLFP rates into age, period, and cohort effects. We present our results with Hanoch–Honig–Deaton–Paxson normalization and maximum entropy estimation approaches to the APC method to observe the robustness of our results. The analysis is carried out by aggregate FLFP as well as by stratification by rural–urban location and educational attainments. Most of our results are similar in Egypt and Palestine with some exceptions. The two salient findings are as follows. The year effects display an initial U‐shape followed by an inverted U‐shape in both countries. The declining arm of the inverted U‐shape is compatible with the “MENA paradox” observed in both countries. The increase in the participation of the younger cohorts of the below‐secondary educated women, which is a low‐educated group, may be an indication of the wearing away of the social norms in Palestine that are considered to hinder the participation of women.
Social identity, confidence in institutions, and youth: Evidence from the Arab Spring
Authors: Fakih Ali , Khayat Rasha
Published: June 2022

Objective

During the political transition, people lose their confidence in their leaders, faith in the so‐called “democratic” elections, and no longer trust their political institutions. The issue of trust in institutions is highly regarded in social sciences research, as it reflects people's perceptions and valuation of how well their institutions are functioning. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to investigate the case of the Middle East and North African Region following the Arab Spring uprisings that began in 2011. Specifically, the relationship between youth self‐perception identity and confidence in various institutions is examined in the post‐Arab Spring era.

Method

We use a microlevel data set extracted from the SAHWA Youth Survey conducted in 2016. The sample consists of around 10,000 randomly and nationally representative youth aged 15 to 29 years. The survey includes 2000 observations from Lebanon, 1970 observations from Egypt, 2000 from Tunisia, and 2036 and 1854 from Algeria and Morocco, respectively. The empirical analysis is carried out through the ordered probit model.

Results

Controlling for a comprehensive set of socioeconomic characteristics, we find that religious associations are not confined to people who belong to an Arab, global, national, or even religious identity. Young people who identify with citizens of the world only seem to confide in the police. Additionally, Arab identity is correlated with absolute positive confidence in the elections. Coherent with previous literature, we note that a nationalistic identity increases politicians’ and administrations’ confidence despite the domestic turmoil. We also find that religious identity is negatively correlated with all institutions except elections, including religious associations.

Conclusion

This research highlights that policies that are up‐to‐date and secure gender equality may create a modernist atmosphere that allows people to retrieve trust and confidence in the institutions and administrations in the countries.
Automated People Mover Technology Review - A Mobility Tool for Large Capacity Airports and Connecting Transit Systems
Authors: Barbosa Fábio C.
Published: June 2022

The Automated People Mover (APM) technology has been systematically used to handle increasing airport local passenger demands and for connecting transit systems, into short rides, with medium capacity vehicles (up to 300 passengers per ride), short headways (up to 60 seconds), and, hence, with a high service level.

The APM technology enables the use of the decentralized passenger terminals layout, required for large capacity airports, in order to ensure its operational feasibility, through the safe integration of remote located passenger concourses, as well as assuring reasonable walking distances (up to 300m/1,000 ft) to both airport terminals (passenger boarding, transfers and connections), parking facilities and transit system connections.

The APM can be classified as an advanced transportation system, which uses driverless automated, operating on fixed guideways (single or multicar trains) along an exclusive right-of-way (RoW), on steel or concrete guideways, with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 16,000 passengers per hour direction (pphd), with the ability to operate in an on demand mode, especially during off-peak hours, to minimize the energy used, as well as a ride quality comparable with the best of any transit system.

The APM vehicles are electric-powered, rubber tired, steel wheeled or air cushion suspended, as well as tractioned by onboard electric motors, drawn by cables or pneumatically driven, with different guiding, switching, and control concepts, depending on the technology adopted.

The APM technology was firstly implemented in the United States (U.S.), at the Tampa International Airport, in the early 70’s, followed by other systems in other U.S. and North American airports, as a tool to address the increasing walking distances, caused by the passenger terminals growing, required to accommodate the large passenger traffic. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, the APM technology was also introduced in Asia and Europe for both airports and amusement parks, while in the early 2000’s, in Latin America, for both airports and transit systems.

This work presents an overview of the APM technology, in a review format, based on the available technical literature, followed by an assessment of the APM’s technical and operational features, associated with the different technologies. It also reports some case studies of the main APM systems worldwide and ongoing projects to be implemented.
Pilot Field Test of an Onboard Wireless Condition Monitoring System for Railroad Rolling Stock
Authors: Barrera Marco A. , Cantu Lee R. , Tarawneh Constantine , Foltz Heinrich , Wilson Brent , Porter Byron
Published: June 2022

The “internet of things” has revolutionized the methods in which many industries have optimized performance and component defect detection by providing real-time feedback through the implementation of data processing and wireless communication. Despite these advancements, the railway industry has lingered stagnant in its approach of adopting these advanced prognostic detection systems, and instead relies on discretely (25–40 miles) placed trackside condition monitoring systems, aka wayside. These wayside systems are primarily used to detect abnormal operating conditions in railcar rolling stock components. However, while they have been used for decades to address imminent threats to derailments and/or safety, they have unfortunately been shown to erroneously flag and misdiagnose components. These “false positive” cases usually result in unnecessary and costly delays and train stoppages. In worst case scenarios, these wayside systems have been known to mis-identify problematic components which can potentially lead to catastrophic derailments, risking property and safety. Overall, these limitations to established methods, and current technological innovations, allow for the introduction of a pioneering technology that addresses these deficiencies to enable constant, reliable, and precise onboard component health monitoring through vibration and temperature tracking. With these advancements, railroad car owners and operators can preemptively assess any rolling stock maintenance issue well in advance of an anticipated catastrophic failure.

To validate the efficacy of these onboard sensors, a field study was conducted using 40 such monitoring devices that were affixed to the bearing adapters of randomly selected railcars in a dedicated coal service route. After the span of two months of ongoing testing, three wheelsets were selected for removal based on data collected that indicated non-normative operating conditions. The wheelsets were inspected, analyzed, and the corresponding bearings were shipped to the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) for laboratory evaluation and testing. This paper summarizes some of the preliminary results acquired from this field test and provides a comparison between the field and laboratory data, demonstrating their agreement and the prospective integration of these sensor technologies into the rail industry.
Intelligent Transit Thru Imaging: Using CCTV Cameras for Evaluating Real Time Demand
Authors: Saxena Kshitij
Published: June 2022

Ubiquitous CCTV cameras are a commonplace in cities with their presence on street intersections, bus stops, train stations and ferry terminals, etc. This paper presents an idea to use Artificial Intelligence in devising heat maps whereby traffic density is mapped from CCTV camera image grab of a location. When fed into the Traffic Management System (TMS), relevant alerts can be issued to the Traffic Controllers, consequently, deploying a bus or a metro train to meet that extra rush of passengers. Intelligent models can be developed that create novel routes during specific events in the city. New demand and response models can be created within TMS thru use of data science. Routes can be temporarily modified, with crowded stops added and uncrowded ones removed. Passengers are given adequate notice thru live alerts. Ethical issues related to data privacy are handled by specialized software. Such an intelligent system can help control crime. By active monitoring, the response time in attending accidents can be lessened. Necessary warnings are issued to bus operators concerning elderly and people with special needs, enabling better onboarding experience.
Numerical Simulation of Train-Track Switch Interactions in the Presence of Surface Rail Defects for Determining Physical Sensor Placement for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Pillai Nikhil , Shih Jou-Yi , Roberts Clive
Published: June 2022

A novel approach that utilizes numerical simulations of train-track interactions to determine the placement of sensors for the condition monitoring of railway switches has been demonstrated. The locations on the switches that would need to be monitored for the development of a specific RCF fault were obtained by utilizing the results from holistic MBS train-turnout interaction simulations in a damage prediction model. A detailed three-dimensional (3D) solid Finite Element (FE) model for replicating the similar track dynamic behavior and rolling contact interaction as the holistic MBS model was developed and validated. A 3D squat fault was introduced into the railhead of the FE model and simulations were run to help determine the placement of strain measurement sensors on the rail to detect its development. The results for the contact forces, Von-Mises stress and the engineering strains have been obtained from the simulations to help estimate the placement of sensors for the effective detection of the RCF squat fault.
Effect of N content on the microstructure and tribological properties of TiSiCN composite coatings
Authors: Zhou Bing , Jin Wantao , Liu Zhubo , Ma Yong , Gao Jie , Wang Yongsheng , Yu Shengwang
Published: June 2022

TiSiCN composite coatings with different N contents based on Cr buffer layer were prepared by plasma-enhanced magnetron sputtering. The surface and cross-sectional morphology, composition, and structure of the coatings were evaluated by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The hardness, elastic modulus, and tribological performance were investigated. The results showed that with the addition of N content, the proportion of sp3-hybrized C bonds and amorphous Si3N4 in TiSiCN coatings gradually decreased, while the proportion of graphite phase and CNx gradually increased. The decrease in the sp3—C bonding ratio leads to the decrease of coating hardness, and the composite coating with N content of 7.3% has the highest hardness at 13.2 GPa. The friction experiments exhibited the self-lubrication feature of the internal graphite phase, and the strengthening of moderate amounts of the hard phase can significantly reduce the wear rate. The TiSiCN composite coating with N content of 13.2% had the lowest wear rate.
Synthetic regulatory reconstitution reveals principles of mammalian
Hox
cluster regulation
Authors: Pinglay Sudarshan , Bulajić Milica , Rahe Dylan P. , Huang Emily , Brosh Ran , Mamrak Nicholas E. , King Benjamin R. , German Sergei , Cadley John A. , Rieber Lila , Easo Nicole , Lionnet Timothée , Mahony Shaun , Maurano Matthew T. , Holt Liam J. , Mazzoni Esteban O. , Boeke Jef D.
Published: June 2022

Precise
Hox
gene expression is crucial for embryonic patterning. Intra-
Hox
transcription factor binding and distal enhancer elements have emerged as the major regulatory modules controlling
Hox
gene expression. However, quantifying their relative contributions has remained elusive. Here, we introduce “synthetic regulatory reconstitution,” a conceptual framework for studying gene regulation, and apply it to the
HoxA
cluster. We synthesized and delivered variant rat
HoxA
clusters (130 to 170 kilobases) to an ectopic location in the mouse genome. We found that a minimal
HoxA
cluster recapitulated correct patterns of chromatin remodeling and transcription in response to patterning signals, whereas the addition of distal enhancers was needed for full transcriptional output. Synthetic regulatory reconstitution could provide a generalizable strategy for deciphering the regulatory logic of gene expression in complex genomes.
Mutations linked to neurological disease enhance self-association of low-complexity protein sequences
Authors: Zhou Xiaoming , Sumrow Lily , Tashiro Kyuto , Sutherland Lillian , Liu Daifei , Qin Tian , Kato Masato , Liszczak Glen , McKnight Steven L.
Published: June 2022

Protein domains of low sequence complexity do not fold into stable, three-dimensional structures. Nevertheless, proteins with these sequences assist in many aspects of cell organization, including assembly of nuclear and cytoplasmic structures not surrounded by membranes. The dynamic nature of these cellular assemblies is caused by the ability of low-complexity domains (LCDs) to transiently self-associate through labile, cross-β structures. Mechanistic studies useful for the study of LCD self-association have evolved over the past decade in the form of simple assays of phase separation. Here, we have used such assays to demonstrate that the interactions responsible for LCD self-association can be dictated by labile protein structures poised close to equilibrium between the folded and unfolded states. Furthermore, missense mutations causing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease manifest their pathophysiology in vitro and in cultured cell systems by enhancing the stability of otherwise labile molecular structures formed upon LCD self-association.
Science, health, and truth
Authors: Roper William L.
Published: June 2022

The past 2 years have been a strange and difficult time for the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought illness, hospitalization, and death near to many people. In the United States, people are divided not only on what they should do but also on what constitutes the facts. Many are seemingly in an alternative world, driven by disinformation, conspiracy theories, and anti-science beliefs. How can health and medical leaders do their jobs while trying to cope with a polarized public? They must be more effective in explaining and persuading the public on matters of science and health. This will require better clarification of two things to the public—the roles of science and politics in public policy decisions, and the means by which scientific truth is established and updated.