bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographic isolation and human-assisted dispersal in land snails: a Mediterranean story ofHelix borealisand its relatives (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Helicidae)
Authors: Korábek Ondřej , Kosová Tereza , Dolejš Petr , Petrusek Adam , Neubert Eike , Juřičková Lucie
Published: December 2020

The Mediterranean basin is a major centre for land-snail diversity, with many localized endemics, but there are also species widely spread by humans. Both endemics and introductions can be found in the snail genus Helix, which comprises many large-bodied species used for human consumption in the past and present. The Mediterranean clade of Helix is currently distributed throughout this region, but the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships among its forms from different parts of the basin remain enigmatic. The reasons include insufficient sampling, taxa with unclear taxonomy and a significant impact of human-assisted transport obscuring the natural distribution of phylogenetic lineages. We provide evidence that European and Anatolian populations of H. cincta and its relatives are not native to those regions, but originate from the northern Levant. These results have implications for taxonomy of the genus, but also for the understanding of its evolutionary history. We posit that the Mediterranean clade consists of four geographically separated groups, which diversified in Northern Africa, the Apennine Peninsula and Corsica, the Aegean and Greece, and the northern Levant. This geographic pattern has been subsequently blurred by multiple instances of human-assisted dispersal. However, revealing the founding populations with certainty requires thorough sampling in currently inaccessible countries.
Institution-monopoly rent and competition amongst China's local governments: a Marxist analytical framework
Authors: Meng Jie , Wu Fenghua
Published: December 2020

Purpose

As a crucial institutional form established since the Chinese economic reform, the system of competitive local governments has been shaping the characteristics of China's socialist market economy to a considerable degree.

Design/methodology/approach

This study not only adopts the view of existing studies that attribute the economic motive of local governments to rent and consider land public finance as a means through which local governments carry out strategic investment but also attempts to further develop the view within a Marxist analytical framework.

Findings

As a result, the local governments have helped to maintain an incredibly high investment rate over a considerable period of time, facilitating the continuous, rapid growth of the Chinese economy.

Originality/value

This study concludes that China's local governments function as the productive allocator and user of rent in the strategic investment based on land public finance and thereby embed themselves in the relative surplus-value production initially arising from competition amongst enterprises, forming the dual structure of relative surplus-value production unique to China's economy.
Employee happiness and corporate social responsibility: the role of organizational culture
Authors: Espasandín-Bustelo Francisco , Ganaza-Vargas Juan , Diaz-Carrion Rosalia
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This research explores how does the organizational culture influence internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions and the effect of these actions on the level of happiness of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts an employee perspective since the perception of employees is the unit of analysis. By relying on a sample of 921 workers of firms from different sectors and sizes headquartered in Spain, the empirical analysis is performed using partial least squares.

Findings

The findings evidence that clan and adhocracy cultures highly foster internal CSR practices and that internal CSR activities enhance employees' happiness. The mediating role of internal CSR in the relationship between organizational culture and employee happiness is also found. These results suggest that managers could play a proactive role in fostering internal CSR by designing the organizational culture according to features of clan and adhocracy cultures such as flexibility, innovation, creativity, autonomy, communication, training and support of supervisors.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on a single country, which makes it difficult to generalize the results and guides future research into cross-cultural analysis. Including countries that present differences in their cultural and institutional context would allow to explore the influence of the national context on the business culture, on internal CSR and on employee happiness. This work is also limited in time, as the data used are of a cross-cultural nature.

Practical implications

A greater effort in internal CSR by companies translates into a higher level of happiness for their workers. Specifically, occupational health and safety practices have the greatest influence on employee happiness. Hence, organizations must develop cultures that contribute to promote internal CSR—adhocracy and clan—since this would enhance employees' happiness if the values and beliefs that characterize these cultural configurations are translated into internal CSR practices such as occupational health and safety, work–life balance and equal opportunities.

Social implications

The improvement of employee happiness creates social value and can be enhanced through an organizational culture that promotes CSR. The research findings might be useful when defining institutional policies to promote job quality, as encouraged by the social policy agenda of the United Nations embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Originality/value

Promoting internal CSR through organizational culture will have positive effects for companies internally by enhancing employees' happiness. Therefore, the article contributes to overcome the lack of evidence about the antecedents of internal CSR and its relationship with employees' happiness, an emerging variable in the management literature.
Pricing to market: property valuation methods – a practical review
Authors: Gabrielli Laura , French Nick
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Valuation is the process of determining Market Value. Property valuation, as with the valuation of all assets, is an estimation of price in the market. It is value in exchange. The valuer role is to determine the appropriate approach, the method and use the right model to achieve this aim as best as possible. It is a combination of analysing the market and determining the critical variables for the valuation method/model. The method is separate from the valuation process which should be followed (according to the International Valuation Standards Council Valuation Standards) regardless the valuation method chosen. There are valuation approaches, valuation methods and, as a subset of the methods, techniques or models.

Design/methodology/approach

This practice briefing is an overview of the Valuation Methods and Models available to the valuer and comments on the appropriateness of valuation each in assessing Market Value for specific property types.

Findings

This briefing is a review of the valuation methods and models and models that can be applied to determine market value.

Practical implications

The role of the valuer in practice is to identify the method of valuation and then apply the correct mathematical model for the valuation task in hand.

Originality/value

This provides guidance on how valuations can be presented to the client in accordance with the International Valuation Standards.
Benchmarking maintenance performance in select agro-based industry
Authors: Gandhare Balasaheb Shahaji , Akarte Milind M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper demonstrates a multi-criteria analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework for evaluating and benchmarking maintenance performance in the select agro-based industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, 20 maintenance practices (criteria) have been identified after a detailed literature review and discussion with the agro-based industry (sugar, textile and dairy industry) executives. These are then grouped into six maintenance management areas referred to as group criteria. The multi-criteria methodology consists of three steps: criteria identification, hierarchical modeling and data collection and maintenance performance evaluation, and benchmarking. The multi-criteria methodology proposed in this work facilitates two ways of carrying out benchmarking: (1) within the agro-based industry and (2) between the agro-based industry. The methodology has been explained by taking a case example of 45 agro-based industries (18 dairy, 13 sugar and 14 textile) from the western region of India. The sensitivity analysis of the model has been performed to ascertain the robustness of the results.

Findings

There is a difference in the maintenance performance across the agro-based industries due to different maintenance practices perceived differently.

Research limitations/implications

The outcome of the model is mainly given by the judgments of the agro-based industry executives. It is also sensitive to any change in the relative importance to the evaluation criteria or the perception about the maintenance performance.

Practical implications

The study contributes in identifying the weakness, if any, by comparing the agro-based industry under investigation with the benchmark factory at three levels, namely, overall performance (factory level), group criteria (maintenance management area level) and criteria (maintenance practice level) allowing further improvement.

Originality/value

The methodology assists in better decision-making and in improving maintenance performance.
Linking strategic entrepreneurship to business growth in Iranian IoT-based companies
Authors: Ziyae Babak , Vagharmousavi Majid
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Strategic entrepreneurship (SE) is effective in the formation of business strategies that involve simultaneous opportunity-seeking and advantage-seeking behaviors. SE revitalizes firms to achieve competitive advantage in the current turbulent markets. The purpose of this paper is to understand in more detail how SE influences business growth (BG) through the lens of dynamic capabilities (DC) theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research method and structural equation modeling technique, the measurement and structural models were developed to test the research hypotheses. For this purpose, a survey was conducted among 159 internet of thing (IoT)-based companies in Iran.

Findings

The findings show that DC theory provides the theoretical underpinning to describe the effect of SE and its dimensions on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition (EOR). Results also reveal that EOR mediates the relationship between SE and BG. Furthermore, this research empirically verifies that organizational entrepreneurship and value creation moderate the relationship between EOR and BG.

Originality/value

IoT identifies a pathway for continuous change that helps to improve firms’ competitiveness and innovation. This paper provides a new insight into how Iranian IoT-based companies can enhance their SE to recognize entrepreneurial opportunities and gain competitive advantage. Mainly, this study singles out and discusses the variegated features that characterize the implementation of SE by Iranian IoT-based companies having different characteristics.
Impact of foreign direct investment on the agricultural sector in Nigeria (1981–2017)
Authors: Edeh Chukwudi Emmanuel , Eze Chidera Godson , Ugwuanyi Sonia Onyinye
Published: December 2020

The study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment on the agriculture sector in Nigeria using quarterly time series data for the period 1981–2017 obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. Preliminary tests on the time series data were done using the pairwise correlation test, Augmented Dickey–Fuller and Phillips–Perron unit root tests. The results of the Bounds test and Johansen test indicate the presence of cointegration in the model. The A utoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL) model, Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) were used to estimate the parameter estimates of the regression model. Results indicate that foreign direct investment has a positive and significant impact on agricultural sector output. Specifically, the ARDL result shows the impact of foreign direct investment to be more in the short run (0.0024 < 0.05) than in the long run (0.0000 < 0.05). Also, deregulation of the economy has a significant impact on agricultural output over the period under study. The study recommends an increase in tax holidays (from the present 3 years to at least 6 years) to prospective foreign direct investors. There is a need to provide for a short‐ and medium‐term framework that will address increased and emergency funding of the agricultural sector by the government in Nigeria.
Electrocardiographic predictors of successful resynchronization of left bundle branch block by His bundle pacing
Authors: Arnold Ahran D. , Shun‐Shin Matthew J. , Keene Daniel , Howard James P. , Chow Ji‐Jian , Lim Elaine , Lampridou Smaragda , Miyazawa Alejandra A. , Muthumala Amal , Tanner Mark , Qureshi Norman A. , Lefroy David C. , Koa‐Wing Michael , Linton Nick W. F. , Boon Lim Phang , Peters Nicholas S. , Kanagaratnam Prapa , Auricchio Angelo , Francis Darrel P. , Whinnett Zachary I.
Published: December 2020

Background

His bundle pacing (HBP) is an alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB). It is not known whether ventricular activation times and patterns achieved by HBP are equivalent to intact conduction systems and not all patients with LBBB are resynchronized by HBP.

Objective

To compare activation times and patterns of His‐CRT with BVP‐CRT, LBBB and intact conduction systems.

Methods

In patients with LBBB, noninvasive epicardial mapping (ECG imaging) was performed during BVP and temporary HBP. Intrinsic activation was mapped in all subjects. Left ventricular activation times (LVAT) were measured and epicardial propagation mapping (EPM) was performed, to visualize epicardial wavefronts. Normal activation pattern and a normal LVAT range were determined from normal subjects.

Results

Forty‐five patients were included, 24 with LBBB and LV impairment, and 21 with normal 12‐lead ECG and LV function. In 87.5% of patients with LBBB, His‐CRT successfully shortened LVAT by ≥10 ms. In 33.3%, His‐CRT resulted in complete ventricular resynchronization, with activation times and patterns indistinguishable from normal subjects. EPM identified propagation discontinuity artifacts in 83% of patients with LBBB. This was the best predictor of whether successful resynchronization was achieved by HBP (logarithmic odds ratio, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–4.31; p = .04).

Conclusion

Noninvasive electrocardiographic mapping appears to identify patients whose LBBB can be resynchronized by HBP. In contrast to BVP, His‐CRT may deliver the maximum potential ventricular resynchronization, returning activation times, and patterns to those seen in normal hearts.
Isotopic enrichment in Rhizoprionodon porosus (Poey, 1861) and Carcharhinus porosus (Ranzani, 1840) embryos
Authors: Garzón‐Peña Lina Vanesa , Barrera‐García Angelica , Delgado‐Huertas Antonio , Polo‐Silva Carlos Julio
Published: December 2020

Isotopic values of two Caribbean sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon porosus litters (Poey, 1861) with two and three embryos and one litter of 11 smalltail shark Carcharhinus porosus embryos showed enriched 15N and 13C compared to their mothers. In R. porosus, embryonic isotope values were 3.06 ± 0.07‰ and 0.69 ± 0.15‰ greater than their mothers' for δ15N and δ13C, respectively, whereas in C. porosus, δ15N and δ13C were 1.79 ± 0.09‰ and 1.31 ± 0.17‰ greater in embryos than their mothers.
Multiple marginalisation and unintended pregnancy among racial/ethnic and sexual minority college women
Authors: Reynolds Colleen A. , Beccia Ariel , Charlton Brittany M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Both sexual minority and racial/ethnic minority women are at increased risk of unintended pregnancy compared to their heterosexual and non‐Hispanic white peers, respectively. A recent study suggests the presence of negative interaction between sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, although it was not explicitly assessed.

Objectives

To characterise the burden of unintended pregnancy across groups defined by intersecting sexual orientation and race/ethnicity and to explore for potential intersectional interaction between social identities.

Methods

We analysed cross‐sectional survey data from the National College Health Assessment collected between Fall 2015 and Spring 2018. The relative risk (RR) of unintended pregnancy among college‐attending women aged 18‐25 was estimated using multivariable log‐binomial regression (n = 177 592). We estimated multiplicative‐ and additive‐scale (relative risk due to interaction, RERI) interaction between race/ethnicity and sexual orientation on the risk of unintended pregnancy; 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using 500 bootstrap replicates.

Results

Unintended pregnancy was rare across all intersecting identity groups (≤1.5%). Compared to heterosexual non‐Hispanic white women, all groups of sexual minorities and/or racial/ethnic minorities had a higher risk of unintended pregnancy. This was consistent within strata of sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. We did not find strong evidence of additive‐scale interaction between sexual orientation and race/ethnicity (RERI −0.19, 95% CI −0.67, 0.28), but we did find negative multiplicative‐scale interaction (interaction RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59, 0.96).

Conclusions

These findings illustrate that interactions, which are typically used to quantify intersectional effects, are scale‐dependent. This has implications regarding how risk estimates for multiply marginalised groups are interpreted. More broadly, our findings suggest the need to move beyond multiple jeopardy approaches to quantitative intersectional research and consider the upstream factors that may uniquely shape the health status of groups at the nexus of particular social identities.
Biased FDI spillovers in incomplete datasets: An empirical examination
Authors: Tusha Dea , Jordaan Jacob A.
Published: December 2020

We examine biases in foreign direct investment (FDI) productivity spillovers that can arise when using incomplete datasets, by comparing estimates for Indonesia from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES)—an incomplete dataset example—with estimates from the Indonesian Manufacturing Survey (MS). Furthermore, we conduct estimations on samples drawn from MS, following the sampling methodology of WBES. We find that estimates with this sampling framework are inaccurate, due to measurement error in industry‐level horizontal and vertical FDI, strong presence of small firms, and small sample size. Relaxing the WBES sampling criteria and using FDI variables from MS produces substantially more reliable findings.
Modelling the age‐related trajectory of performance in Para swimmers with physical, vision and intellectual impairment
Authors: Hogarth Luke , Nicholson Vaughan , Payton Carl , Burkett Brendan
Published: December 2020

This study is the first to provide information on the age‐related trajectories of performance in Para swimmers with physical, vision and intellectual impairment. Race times from long‐course swim meets between 2009 and 2019 were obtained for Para swimmers with an eligible impairment. A subset of 10 661 times from 411 Para swimmers were included in linear mixed effects modelling to establish the relationship between age and performance expressed relative to personal best time and world record time. The main findings were: (a) age has the most noticeable influence on performance between the ages of 12‐20 years before performances stabilize and peak in the early to late twenties, (b) women have faster times relative to personal best and world record time than men during early adolescence and their performances stabilize, peak and decline at younger ages, and (c) Para swimmers from different sport classes show varying age‐related trajectories in performance after maturation and when training‐related factors are more likely to explain competitive swim performance. The results of this study can guide talent identification and development of Para swimmers at various stages of their career and help to inform decision‐making on the allocation of sport class and sport class status in Para swimming classification.
Effect of probe geometry during measurement of >100 A Ga2O3 vertical rectifiers
Authors: Sharma Ribhu , Xian Minghan , Fares Chaker , Law Mark E. , Tadjer Marko , Hobart Karl D. , Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen J.
Published: December 2020

The high breakdown voltage and low on-state resistance of Schottky rectifiers fabricated on β-Ga2O3 leads to low switching losses, making them attractive for power inverters. One of the main goals is to achieve high forward currents, requiring the fabrication of large area (>1 cm2) devices in order to keep the current density below the threshold for thermally driven failure. A problem encountered during the measurement of these larger area devices is the dependence of current spreading on the probe size, resistance, number, and geometry, which leads to lower currents than expected. We demonstrate how a multiprobe array (6 × 8 mm2) provides a means of mitigating this effect and measure a single sweep forward current up to 135 A on a 1.15 cm2 rectifier fabricated on a vertical Ga2O3 structure. Technology computer-aided design simulations using the floods code, a self-consistent partial differential equation solver, provide a systematic insight into the role of probe placement, size (40–4120 μm), number (1–5), and the sheet resistance of the metal contact on the resultant current-voltage characteristics of the rectifiers.
Differential Splicing of Human Adenovirus 5 E1A RNA Expressed in
cis
versus in
trans
Authors: Graves Drayson , Akkerman Nikolas , Bachus Scott , Pelka Peter
Published: December 2020

Human adenovirus has become an important tool for medicine and research, and 293 cells and various similar cell lines are used extensively for virus production in situations where high viral yields are important. Such complementing cell lines are used for the production of viral vectors and vaccines, which often have deletions and replacements in various viral genes.
Metabolic Reconstruction Elucidates the Lifestyle of the Last Diplomonadida Common Ancestor
Authors: Jiménez-González Alejandro , Andersson Jan O.
Published: December 2020

Diplomonads are a group of microbial eukaryotes found in oxygen-poor environments. There are both parasitic (e.g.,Giardia intestinalis) and free-living (e.g.,Trepomonas) members in the group.
Schwarzschild black hole states and entropies on a nice slice
Authors: Rosabal J. A.
Published: December 2020

In this work, we define a quantum gravity state on a nice slice. The nice slices provide a foliation of spacetime and avoid regions of strong curvature. We explore the topology and the geometry of the manifold obtained from a nice slice after evolving it in complex time. We compute its associated semiclassical thermodynamics entropy for a 4d Schwarzschild black hole. Despite the state one can define on a nice slice is not a global pure state, remarkably, we get a similar result to Hawking’s calculation. In the end, we discuss the entanglement entropy of two segments on a nice slice and comment on the relation of this work with the replica wormhole calculation.
High-Precision Mutual Coupling Coefficient Estimation for Adaptive Beamforming
Authors: Feng Ziang , Hu Guoping , Ge Qichao , Zhou Hao
Published: December 2020

Here, a high-precision mutual coupling coefficient estimation method is proposed that is more suitable for adaptive beamforming than traditional algorithms. According to the relationship between the designed transition matrix and the signal, the proposed algorithm selects the transition matrix corresponding to the high-power signal. The high-precision estimation of the mutual coupling coefficient is obtained by using the selected transition matrix estimation, which yields relatively good estimation accuracy for the mutual coupling coefficient when the desired signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is low and relatively robust adaptive beamforming with unknown mutual coupling. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Surgical Approach to Recurrent Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Lang Hauke
Published: December 2020

Background: For recurrent cholangiocarcinoma, systemic chemotherapy is the standard of care. Repeated resection is a potential curative treatment, but data are scarce and outcomes are not well defined so far. Summary: In the last decade there has been an increasing number of reports suggesting a survival benefit and even cure after repeated surgery. This is particularly true for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, where repeated resections offer similar or even better results than the first resection. In selected cases even a third liver resection is possible. In contrast, in perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinoma, repeated resection is only rarely possible. Although the improved outcome might be attributed to a careful patient selection and a favorable tumor biology, repeated surgical treatment should be attempted whenever possible. This necessitates a structured follow-up after resection. Key Message: Surgical resection offers the chance for prolonged survival and even for cure in recurrent cholangiocarcinoma. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to better understand the routes of metastases and to define factors qualifying for resection. Whether different patterns of recurrence reflect biological heterogeneity requires further investigation.
Plasma Levels of Alpha and Gamma Synucleins in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Indicator of Severity
Authors: Al-Mazidi Sarah , Al-Ayadhi Laila Y.
Published: December 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to correlate plasma levels of the synaptic proteins α-synuclein and γ-synuclein in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children in order to elucidate their possible contribution to the pathogenesis of ASD and to study their association with the severity of the disorder. Subjects and Methods: Plasma levels of α-synuclein and γ-synuclein were measured in 38 male children diagnosed with ASD and 40 healthy age-matched male children by ELISA. Results: Our results showed that plasma levels of α-synuclein (18.02 ± 5.3 pg/mL) were significantly higher in ASD children than in control children (14.39 ± 2 pg/mL), and plasma levels of γ-synuclein were decreased in the ASD group (23.74 ± 7.7 pg/mL) compared to the control group (32.40 ± 6.8 pg/mL) (p < 0.0001). Our data also indicate that plasma levels of both α-synuclein and γ-synuclein are significantly associated with the severity of ASD. Conclusions: Our study showed that alteration in α-synuclein and γ-synuclein might be associated with ASD pathogenesis and could be an indicator of the severity of the disorder.
Impacts of Low-Frequency Internal Climate Variability and Greenhouse Warming on El Niño–Southern Oscillation
Authors: Ng Benjamin , Cai Wenju , Cowan Tim , Bi Daohua
Published: December 2020

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant mode of interannual climate fluctuations with wide-ranging socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Understanding the eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño response to a warmer climate is paramount, yet the role of internal climate variability in modulating their response is not clear. Using large ensembles, we find that internal variability generates a spread in the standard deviation and skewness of these two El Niño types that is similar to the spread of 17 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) that realistically simulate ENSO diversity. Based on 40 Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble (CESM-LE) and 99 Max Planck Institute for Meteorology Grand Ensemble (MPI-GE) members, unforced variability can explain more than 90% of the historical EP and CP El Niño standard deviation and all of the ENSO skewness spread in the 17 CMIP5 models. Both CESM-LE and the selected CMIP5 models show increased EP and CP El Niño variability in a warmer climate, driven by a stronger mean vertical temperature gradient in the upper ocean and faster surface warming of the eastern equatorial Pacific. However, MPI-GE shows no agreement in EP or CP standard deviation change. This is due to weaker sensitivity to the warming signal, such that when the eastern equatorial Pacific surface warming is faster, the change in upper ocean vertical temperature gradient tends to be weaker. This highlights that individual models produce a different ENSO response in a warmer climate, and that considerable uncertainty within the CMIP5 ensemble may be caused by internal climate variability.
The Beautiful Festival of the Valley in the Graeco-Roman Period: A Revised Perspective
Authors: Dogaer Lauren
Published: December 2020

The pharaonic Beautiful Festival of the Valley has already been studied extensively by various scholars. However, no adequate research has hitherto been carried out into the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods. This paper proposes what the final phase of the festival would have looked like and argues that it did not merge with the Decadal Festival, as became the opinio communis. The Graeco-Roman archaeological data from the Theban necropolis were plotted in GIS (ArcGIS 10.7.1) to determine that these finds can still be linked to the processional paths used for the Valley Festival, as was the case in older periods. The indications provided by the spatial distributions together with papyrological sources and landscape analysis support the hypothesis that the Valley Festival continued to be celebrated into the Graeco-Roman Period.
Biocompatibility, hemostatic properties, and wound healing evaluation of tilapia skin collagen sponges
Authors: Wang Tong , Yang Lintong , Wang Guangfei , Han Lei , Chen Kaili , Liu Ping , Xu Shumin , Li Dongsheng , Xie Zeping , Mo Xiumei , Wang Lei , Liang Haiyue , Liu Xuejie , Zhang Shumin , Gao Yonglin
Published: December 2020

Dialyzed tilapia skin collagen sponge (DTSCS) and self-assembled tilapia skin collagen sponge (STSCS) were prepared by freeze-drying. The raw components used in the fabrication of DTSCS and STSCS were separated and purified from tilapia fish skin. It is anticipated that these collagen sponges could be developed into medical dressings for hemostasis and wound healing. The aim of the present research was to explore the possibility of DTSCS and STSCS as medical dressings and compare their differences by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), measurement of porosity, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, in vivo biocompatibility, and evaluation of hemostatic performance and wound healing. The results indicate that DTSCS and STSCS are suitable materials for use in medical applications with a loose and porous structure, high water absorption, high porosity, and high thermal stability. The materials also displayed good biocompatibility, including excellent blood compatibility, a lack of cytotoxicity, with no apparent rejection following implantation. STSCS exhibited rapid hemostasis and promoted healing, with slightly greater efficacy than DTSCS. The hemostatic properties and promotion of healing in DTSCS was similar to that of commercial bovine collagen sponge. Therefore, DTSCS and STSCS both represented excellent potential candidate materials for use as hemostatic agents and wound dressings.
Post-EVAR Thrombus Density on Late Non-Contrast CT Scans Predicts Successful Aneurysm Exclusion
Authors: Rouer Martin , Monnot Antoine , Fuda Michelangelo , Pochulu Bruno , Palmier Mickael , Thomas Pascale , Benadiba Laurent , Plissonnier Didier
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

The incidence of type II endoleaks (ELII) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) ranges from 10–44%. Aneurysm thrombus density after EVAR could predict successful aneurysm exclusion.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-seven patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) who had a CT scan within the first 45 days (early group) post-surgery or after 7 months (late group) were included. Thrombus density was analyzed on non-contrast enhanced CT scans.

Results:

A total of 5/13 (38%) patients in the early group had an ELII and 9/14 (64.3%) in the late group had a persistent ELII since surgery. In the early group, thrombus density was similar in patients with or without an ELII (mean: 39.9 ± 4.8 vs. 41.9 ± 3.4, p = 0.7; median: 38.7 ± 4.8 vs. 39.7 ± 3.1, p = 0.8). In patients with an ELII, there was no difference in thrombus density at 45 days and after 7 months (mean: 39.9 ± 4.8 vs. 40.2 ± 2.1, p = 0.9; median: 38.7 ± 4.8 vs. 38 ± 2.6, p = 0.9). In patients without an ELII, thrombus density was significantly higher at 45 days than after 7 months (mean: 41.9 ± 3.44 vs. 25.7 ± 2.0, p = 0.005; median: 39.7 ± 3.11 vs. 24.4 ± 1.5, p = 0.004). In patients with an ELII, thrombus density was significantly higher after 7 months than in patients without an ELII (mean: 40.2 ± 2.1 vs. 25.7 ± 2.0. p = 0.001; median: 38 ± 2.6 vs. 24.4 ± 1.5, p = 0.003).

Conclusion:

Low thrombus density after EVAR on late unenhanced CT scans predicts aneurysm exclusion.
Efficacy and Safety of Combination Comprising Tamsulosin and PDE5-Is, Relative to Monotherapies, in Treating Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction Associated With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Kai , Sun Fengze , Yao Huibao , Zhang Dongxu , Wu Gang , Wang Tianqi , Wang Jipeng , Wu JiTao
Published: December 2020

We report safety and efficacy of a combination therapy, comprising tamsulosin and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is), relative to monotherapy, to ascertain its potential in treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after 3 months’ treatment. We screened MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases, for randomized controlled trials, and obtained eight articles comprising 1144 participants. Results showed that the combination group had superior outcomes with regard to International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Qmax, compared to the other two groups. The combination group also had superior efficacy with regard to International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) than the tamsulosin group, but not over the PDE5-Is group. Further, the combination group showed better efficacy in IPSS voiding and quality of life (QoL) compared to the PDE5-Is group. An analysis of safety outcomes revealed extremely high adverse events (AEs) and pain in the combination group. However, therapy discontinuation due to pain and AEs did not increase with increase in AEs. Overall, our findings indicate that a combination of tamsulosin and PDE5-Is is superior to individual tamsulosin and PDE5-Is monotherapy, with regard to improving LUTS and ED secondary to BPH.
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Subtalar Arthroereisis for Management of Planovalgus Foot in Children With Cerebral Palsy: 3-Year Follow-up
Authors: Elbarbary Hasan Magdi , Arafa Amr Said , Said Abo Bakr Zein , Hegazy Mohamed , Reiad Mina Waheeb , Basha Naguib Youssef , Fahmy Mahmoud
Published: December 2020

Background

Planovalgus deformity of the foot is common among cerebral palsy (CP) patients. It is an upcoming topic with debate and controversy that require further studies. Many clinical studies involving arthroereisis have shown acceptable results in short- and mid-term follow-up. The aim of this work was to evaluate the outcome of arthroereisis using a conventional screw placed percutaneously across the talocalcaneal articulation for the treatment of moderate planovalgus deformity in children with CP.

Methods

Between 2015 and 2018, a prospective study was conducted including 23 CP patients with bilateral flexible planovalgus deformity with follow-up period ranging from 24 to 40 months (mean of 36.7 months). The radiological and clinical outcomes were assessed. The patient/parent outcome was evaluated using the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C).

Results

The results showed statistically significant improvement in both radiological and clinical data as well as patient’s symptoms and parent’s satisfaction.

Conclusion

Results obtained from literature from the past decades after arthroereisis for the correction of moderate planovalgus deformity in CP patients are promising. The few studies reported on that procedure shared the same harmony with our study giving a chance to be a good alternative to joint destructive procedures. Our technique is simple, effective, economical, and minimally invasive if used in selected pediatric CP patients.

Levels of Evidence

Therapeutic, Level IV
Integrative approach for detecting membrane proteins
Authors: Alballa Munira , Butler Gregory
Published: December 2020

Background

Membrane proteins are key gates that control various vital cellular functions. Membrane proteins are often detected using transmembrane topology prediction tools. While transmembrane topology prediction tools can detect integral membrane proteins, they do not address surface-bound proteins. In this study, we focused on finding the best techniques for distinguishing all types of membrane proteins.

Results

This research first demonstrates the shortcomings of merely using transmembrane topology prediction tools to detect all types of membrane proteins. Then, the performance of various feature extraction techniques in combination with different machine learning algorithms was explored. The experimental results obtained by cross-validation and independent testing suggest that applying an integrative approach that combines the results of transmembrane topology prediction and position-specific scoring matrix (Pse-PSSM) optimized evidence-theoretic k nearest neighbor (OET-KNN) predictors yields the best performance.

Conclusion

The integrative approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy and MCC, where the accuracy reached a 92.51% in independent testing, compared to the 89.53% and 79.42% accuracies achieved by the state-of-the-art methods.
Perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 infection from event attendance: results from Louisiana, USA, two weeks preceding the national emergency declaration
Authors: Li Ran , Yang Bingcheng , Penn Jerrod , Houghtaling Bailey , Chen Juan , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Roe Brian E. , Qi Danyi
Published: December 2020

Background

Individual perceptions of personal and national threats posed by COVID-19 shaped initial response to the pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in residents’ awareness about COVID-19 and to characterize those who were more aware and responsive during the early stages of the pandemic in Louisiana.

Methods

In response to the mounting threat of COVID-19, we added questions to an ongoing food preference study held at Louisiana State University from March 3rd through March 12th, 2020. We asked how likely it was that the spread of the coronavirus will cause a national public health crisis and participants’ level of concern about contracting COVID-19 by attending campus events. We used regression and classification tree analysis to identify correlations between these responses and (a) national and local COVID case counts; (b) personal characteristics and (c) randomly assigned information treatments provided as part of the food preference study.

Results

We found participants expressed a higher likelihood of an impending national crisis as the number of national and local confirmed cases increased. However, concerns about contracting COVID-19 by attending campus events rose more slowly in response to the increasing national and local confirmed case count. By the end of this study on March 12th, 2020 although 89% of participants agreed that COVID-19 would likely cause a public health crisis, only 65% of the participants expressed concerns about contracting COVID-19 from event attendance. These participants were significantly more likely to be younger students, in the highest income group, and to have participated in the study by responding to same-day, in-person flyer distribution.

Conclusions

These results provide initial insights about the perceptions of the COVID-19 public health crisis during its early stages in Louisiana. We concluded with suggestions for universities and similar institutions as in-person activities resume in the absence of widespread vaccination.
The German Corona Consensus Dataset (GECCO): a standardized dataset for COVID-19 research in university medicine and beyond
Authors: Sass Julian , Bartschke Alexander , Lehne Moritz , Essenwanger Andrea , Rinaldi Eugenia , Rudolph Stefanie , Heitmann Kai U. , Vehreschild Jörg J. , von Kalle Christof , Thun Sylvia
Published: December 2020

Background

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge of research activity. While this research provides important insights, the multitude of studies results in an increasing fragmentation of information. To ensure comparability across projects and institutions, standard datasets are needed. Here, we introduce the “German Corona Consensus Dataset” (GECCO), a uniform dataset that uses international terminologies and health IT standards to improve interoperability of COVID-19 data, in particular for university medicine.

Methods

Based on previous work (e.g., the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 case report form) and in coordination with experts from university hospitals, professional associations and research initiatives, data elements relevant for COVID-19 research were collected, prioritized and consolidated into a compact core dataset. The dataset was mapped to international terminologies, and the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard was used to define interoperable, machine-readable data formats.

Results

A core dataset consisting of 81 data elements with 281 response options was defined, including information about, for example, demography, medical history, symptoms, therapy, medications or laboratory values of COVID-19 patients. Data elements and response options were mapped to SNOMED CT, LOINC, UCUM, ICD-10-GM and ATC, and FHIR profiles for interoperable data exchange were defined.

Conclusion

GECCO provides a compact, interoperable dataset that can help to make COVID-19 research data more comparable across studies and institutions. The dataset will be further refined in the future by adding domain-specific extension modules for more specialized use cases.
The politics of the excluded: abjection and reconciliation amongst the British precariat
Authors: Savage Mike , Meersohn Schmidt Cynthia
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we use a powerful empirical resource to address what the popular politics of disadvantage might entail in contemporary Britain. We take advantage of the unusually rich qualitative data from the British National Child Development Study, a cohort of Britons born in 1 week in 1958, to focus specifically on the accounts of those who are particularly disadvantaged. By concentrating on these a small number of qualitative accounts, which have been rigorously selected from the wider nationally representative sample on the basis of their relatively small amounts of economic and cultural capital, we will explore in detail the accounts and identities of these disadvantaged Britons with a view to explicating their political frameworks, their social identities and more broadly their orientations towards mobilisation.
The value and benefit of narrative medicine for psychiatric practice
Authors: Dosani Sabina
Published: December 2020

This article describes how applying techniques from literary studies and considering patient histories as texts helps me understand and formulate systemic issues in psychiatric assessments. Psychiatrists are not generally taught to pay close attention to aspects of language, including metaphor and syntax, but I argue that paying attention to the form, as well as to the content, of the stories patients bring us, can make us better attuned to the contexts of their needs and distress, and therefore better placed to help.
Continuous Negative Pressure Operative Field Barrier for Combined Open Tracheostomy and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement During Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Gonzalez-Ciccarelli Luis F. , Nilson James , Hojman Horacio M. , Sekhar Pavan , Velez Madeline , Quraishi Sadeq A.
Published: December 2020

Respiratory failure in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with prolonged endotracheal intubation may require a tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement to facilitate recovery. Both techniques are considered high-risk aerosol-generating procedures and present a heightened risk of exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for operating room personnel. We designed, simulated, and implemented a portable, continuous negative pressure, operative field barrier system using standard equipment available in hospitals to enhance health care provider safety during high-risk aerosol-generating procedures.
АСПЕКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПАРАМЕТРЫ ТУРЕЦКОГО ГЛАГОЛА
Authors: Takoeva Tamara Astanovna
Published: December 2020

Несмотря на давние традиции в изучении видовых характеристик турецкого глагола, грамматическая категория аспектуальности продолжает оставаться дискуссионной и заслуживает самого пристального внимания со стороны лингвистов. В трудах ученых-тюркологов можно встретить самые разные толкования статуса глагольных форм, отягощенных аспектуальным значением.Цель исследования. Выявить аспектуальные параметры турецкого глагола в пределах функционально-семантической категории аспектуальности, синтезировав воззрения известных лингвистов-тюркологов и собственные наблюдения.Методологической базой исследования стал диалектический принцип единства формы и содержания в его двух наиболее существенных ипостасях: семасиологический и ономасиологический.Результаты. В статье делается вывод о том, что функциональная роль морфологической категории вида и лексико-грамматической категории способов действия идентична, т.к. обе упомянутые категории объединяет их аспектуальная ориентированность. Однако при этом не следует забывать и об их существенном различии: облигаторности распространения морфологической категории вида практически на всю парадигму глагольного спряжения и необязательности такого рода требования к лексико-грамматической категории способов действия.Область применения результатов. Результаты проведенного анализа могут найти применение в повседневных дидактических процессах: способствовать совершенствованию методики преподавания соответствующих разделов теоретической и практической грамматики турецкого языка.