bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An assessment of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities in Nigeria
Authors: Ebekozien Andrew , Aigbavboa Clinton , Ayo-Odifiri Solomon Oisasoje , Salim Nuzaihan Aras Agus
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The occurrence of fire accidents in hospital buildings has become a serious challenge and more serious in developing nations. The purpose of this paper intends to assess fire safety measures in Nigerian hospital facilities. The significance of this study is to ensure that the design and construction of hospital facilities enhance the safety of users and properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via a case study and questionnaire survey and administered to the facility users. The study survey is to assess the respondents' perception of fire safety measures in hospital facilities and suggest possible policy measures that will be employed to enhance safety.

Findings

This paper found that 91% of the respondents have awareness of fire safety measures in hospital facilities. Electrical faults and combustible materials were identified as the frequent causes of fire occurrences in hospital facilities. This can be averted where flammable materials and electrical appliances are correctly installed, and safety rules enforced. Findings show that safety rules are lax in public than standard private hospitals.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to fire safety measures in Nigerian healthcare facilities. Future research is needed to evaluate the level of compliance from design, construction and post-construction of precautionary fire safety measures in hospital facilities in Nigeria.

Practical implications

This paper recommended that designers and hospital administrators should improve on fire safety measures via the development of fire safety management plan and education. Thus, enforcement of fire safety measures in hospital facilities as specified in building codes should be implemented and monitored during and after the design of the hospital buildings. Findings provide valuable lessons on how to improve the fire safety measures in healthcare facilities across the states and other developing countries with similar healthcare situations.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that the stakeholders, especially government agencies concern with approval and enforcement of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities need to reawaken to her responsibility because of the lax implementation across the states.
An assessment of customers’ satisfaction for emerging technologies in passenger cars using Kano model
Authors: Kohli Anu , Singh Ram
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Automobile industry has been the backbone of manufacturing sector in any country. During the past decade, passenger car industry has emerged as the one of the growing sectors in the Indian economy. Technological features in the passenger cars industry has been evolving in the global market, and customers have been the most important stakeholders to judge the requirement of these features. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the customers’ need for these emerging technologies using Kano model of customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has used the Kano model to assess the customer satisfaction for Indian passenger car companies. Overall, 250 customers of passenger cars from Northern India have been surveyed using well-structured questionnaire designed as per the Kano model. On the basis of responses, this study has categorized the technological attributes of passenger cars as attractive, must be, one-dimensional and indifferent.

Findings

“Auto Gear Shift” system has emerged as a must be attribute. “Premium surround system” has been categorized under one-dimensional attribute. “Communication between vehicles,” “integration with smart phone,” “connecting applications,” “dual-stage airbags,” “in-dash navigation system,” “rearview camera,” “heated and cooled seats,” “built-in fourth generation long term evolution,” “Wi-Fi system” and “automated window cleaning system” have emerged as attractive features. The customers have been indifferent about “gesture control,” “reality display on car wind screen” and “run-on-flat tyre.” In contradiction to the popular belief, this study has found that customers have shown Indifferent attitude toward “hydrogen fuel-operated cars” and “battery cars.”

Research limitations/implications

This present study gives insight about the acceptability of various emerging technological features in Indian car market. This study has fulfilled the existing dearth in assessing the customers’ insight about the implementation of these emerging technologies in Indian cars. This paper will be helpful to the manufacturers to inculcate the voice of the customers in designing the new technologies for the passenger cars.

Originality/value

Previous studies across the globe have applied Kano model for assessing customers’ satisfaction in various industries, but according to the authors’ knowledge, hardly any study was conducted in context of technological attributes for Indian passenger car companies.
Impact of disasters on routine emergency service response performance
Authors: French Monique , Duray Rebecca , Fan Ying
Published: December 2020

This paper provides substantive understanding of how routine emergency service performance is affected by diversion of resources to a disaster occurring concurrently in a surrounding area. Based on operations strategy models, this study identifies crucial infrastructural and integration components necessary to develop dynamic capabilities for the primary responsibility of responding effectively to routine emergencies during a disaster. A database from a local fire district is used to explore the impact of a wildfire disaster on the operational performance measures of response time and total time. The results of multivariate multiple regression show the impact of the disaster occurrence on these performance measures for a range of incident types in the time periods before, during, and after the wildfire. Findings suggest key drivers of dynamic resource capabilities necessary for improving routine incident operational performance. Implications for emergency services managers include the need to develop and implement data‐driven investigation and review, focused responder training, resident and business engagement, and a tiered mutual aid system. Contributions include development of a framework explaining the impact of disaster occurrences and identification of important dynamic resource capabilities. This paper goes beyond prior research by exploring the impact of disasters on routine emergency performance measures and identifying resource capabilities necessary to alleviate the impact on performance.
Risk Management and its Role in Enhancing Perceived Resilience Capacities of Farms and Farming Systems in Europe
Authors: Spiegel Alisa , Soriano Bárbara , de Mey Yann , Slijper Thomas , Urquhart Julie , Bardají Isabel , Vigani Mauro , Severini Simone , Meuwissen Miranda
Published: December 2020

In facing future challenges, risk management (RM) is essential for European farming systems (FS). This article synthesises lessons learned on RM based on a farm survey, interviews with farmers, and focus groups involving a range of FS actors. In contrast to previous literature, we broaden the definition of RM to include strategies that target long‐term structural challenges, as well as expanding the level of analysis from the farm to the FS level. The results were consistent across the different methods. We found that farmers mainly worry about economic challenges: in particular long‐term pressures. We also found that European farmers have implemented diverse RM strategies in the past five years, and that no single strategy has been applied by the vast majority of farmers. In line with perceptions of future challenges, there is a demand for the reorientation of RM strategies towards long‐term pressures, rather than short‐term shocks. FS actors were found to perceive RM as enhancing resilience capacities, especially adaptability. The results of interviews distinguished between major learning strategies and the attributes of farmers for enhancing robustness, adaptive or transformative capacities. Focus group discussions revealed that the future development of RM strategies requires contributions by all FS actors.
Mucosal healing in intestinal Behçet's disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gong Liang , Zhang Yue Lun , Sun Lu Xi , Chen Guo Rong , Wu Dong
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcers, intestinal lesions, genital ulcers, uveitis, and skin lesions. Evidence regarding mucosal healing for the prognosis of intestinal BD is scarce. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to determine the association between mucosal healing and long‐term outcomes of patients with intestinal BD.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified in a comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. Studies reporting long‐term outcomes of mucosal healing in patients with intestinal BD were included. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for disease recurrence and surgery were calculated using the Mantel–Haenszel random‐effects models. Heterogeneity among the eligible studies was evaluated using the Q test and I2 statistics.

Results

Of the 4785 studies initially identified, 8 were finally included. The pooled RR for the association between mucosal healing and disease recurrence was 0.41 (95% CI 0.30–0.57, P < 0.001). For the association between mucosal healing and the risk of surgery, the pooled RR was 0.33 (95% CI 0.17–0.63, P < 0.001). Confounding factors were adjusted in one study, whereas other studies only reported a crude association between mucosal healing and long‐term outcomes without adjustment.

Conclusions

Mucosal healing is associated with a decreased risk of recurrence and surgery in intestinal BD. However, more studies are required given a small number of currently eligible studies and insufficient adjustment for confounding factors.
Minimal intervention treatment of crown‐root fracture in a mature permanent tooth by MTA pulpotomy and Fragment Reattachment: A Case Report
Authors: Fatima Shazra , Alam Sharique , Kumar Ashok , Andrabi Syed Mukhtar un Nisar , Rehman Aaliya
Published: December 2020

Treatment of crown–root fracture can be complicated, time‐consuming and expensive. This paper presents a treatment approach that minimises intra‐operatory intervention and preserves the biologic tissue. A 15‐year‐old boy reported for treatment of an oblique crown fracture in the left permanent maxillary central incisor (#21, Fédération Dentaire Internationale) with mature root apices. The treatment presented an endodontic, periodontal and restorative challenge as the crown fracture exposed the pulp and extended subgingivally. The patient also had accompanying generalised enamel hypoplasia due to dental fluorosis (grade 3 Deans Fluorosis index), making the aesthetic rehabilitation difficult. The case was managed by preserving the vital pulp by MTA pulpotomy, followed by the adhesive bonding of autogenous crown fragment. A three‐year follow‐up revealed healthy vital pulp tissue and retained bonded fragment with acceptable aesthetics and periodontal health.
District Magnitude and Female Representation: Evidence from Argentina and Latin America
Authors: Lucardi Adrián , Micozzi Juan Pablo
Published: December 2020

We claim that the overall effect of district magnitude on female representation is ambiguous because district magnitude increases both (a) party magnitude—which promotes the election of women, and (b) the number of lists getting seats—which hampers it, as marginal lists are usually headed by men. For identification, we exploit the fact that the Argentine Chamber of Deputies and the Buenos Aires legislature elect half of their members every two years, and thus some districts have varying magnitudes in concurrent and midterm elections. We find a positive but weak effect of district magnitude on female representation, which can be decomposed into a positive effect driven by party magnitude and a negative one channeled by the number of lists getting seats. We find similar results in a sample of seven Latin American countries.
Technical assistance: A determinant of cooperative member loyalty
Authors: Ferreira Marcelo , Macagnan Clea , Vancin Daniel , Toaldo Ana
Published: December 2020

Cooperative organizations face problems with the opportunistic behavior of their members, such as the “free‐rider problem”. To mitigate this problem, cooperative governance systems develop strategies that aim to maximize the economic gains of cooperative members through investments in technical assistance programs. The purpose of our research is to verify if the participation in the technical assistance program increases the probability of loyalty of dairy cooperative members. To this end, we developed an econometric model with logistic regression, using secondary data extracted from the Programa Gerencial Leite. The program is developed by the cooperative system of the State of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and comprises 24 cooperatives. The collected data are longitudinal and include the commercial milk transactions carried out between cooperative members and cooperatives during the years 2014 to 2018, totaling 10,548 cooperative members and 28,765 observations collected and analyzed during this period. Our results indicate that participation in the technical assistance program offered by the cooperative governance increases the probability of loyalty of dairy farmers.
Endothelial KCa1.1 and KCa3.1 channels mediate rat intrarenal artery endothelium‐derived hyperpolarization response
Authors: Pinilla Estéfano , Sánchez Ana , Martínez María P. , Muñoz Mercedes , García‐Sacristán Albino , Köhler Ralf , Prieto Dolores , Rivera Luis
Published: December 2020

Aim

Endothelium‐derived hyperpolarization (EDH)‐mediated response plays an essential role in the control of kidney preglomerular circulation, but the identity of the K+ channels involved in this response is still controversial. We hypothesized that large‐ (KCa1.1), intermediate‐ (KCa3.1) and small (KCa2.3) ‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (KCa) channels are expressed in the endothelium of the preglomerular circulation and participate in the EDH‐mediated response.

Methods

We study the functional expression of different K+ channels in non‐cultured, freshly isolated native endothelial cells (ECs) of rat intrarenal arteries using immunofluorescence and the patch‐clamp technique. We correlate this with vasorelaxant responses ex vivo using wire myography.

Results

Immunofluorescence revealed the expression of KCa1.1, KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 channels in ECs. Under voltage‐clamp conditions, acetylcholine induced a marked increase in the outward currents in these cells, sensitive to the blockade of KCa1.1, KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 channels respectively. Isometric myography experiments, under conditions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibition, showed that blockade either of KCa1.1 or KCa3.1 channels was able to reduce the endothelium‐derived vasorelaxation of isolated interlobar arteries, while their combined blockade completely abolished it. In contrast, blockade of KCa2.3 channels did not reduce this vasorelaxant response, despite being functionally expressed in the endothelial cells.

Conclusion

This study shows that KCa1.1 and KCa3.1 channels are functionally expressed at the renal vascular endothelium and play a central role in the EDH‐mediated relaxation of kidney preglomerular arteries, which is important in the control of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate.
Long‐term interrelations between socio‐emotional and language competencies among preschool dual language learners in Germany
Authors: Ertanir Beyhan , Kaiser‐Kratzmann Jens , Sachse Steffi
Published: December 2020

Background

Recent research has shown that socio‐emotional and language competencies are positively associated with each other. However, few studies have explored these associations for the second language competencies (L2) of young dual language learners (DLLs).

Aims

This longitudinal study investigated possible bidirectional associations between L2 language (expressive and receptive vocabulary) and socio‐emotional competencies among preschool DLLs.

Sample

The participants were 216 German DLLs (MT1 = 52.67 months;SD = 9.54; 53% girls) who were recruited from 19 preschools.

Method

L2 skills were assessed at three time points over the course of one year using standardized tests for expressive and receptive vocabulary. Children’s teachers rated their socio‐emotional strengths and behaviour concerns. Cross‐lagged panel analyses were used to examine the temporal interplay and longitudinal directionality of effects controlling for children’s age, sex, type of language acquisition (sequential vs. simultaneous), and socio‐economic status.

Results

Vocabulary skills and socio‐emotional skills were positively correlated with one another at each time point, such that children with better language proficiency were rated by their teachers as children with higher levels of socio‐emotional competence. Moreover, our results provided support for an effect of early socio‐emotional skills (T1) on the relative increase in L2 vocabulary skills (T2 & T3), particularly for expressive vocabulary. However, our results did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect of better L2 language skills on the relative change in socio‐emotional competencies.

Conclusion

Our results suggest unidirectional longitudinal relations between the socio‐emotional and L2 skills, signifying the role of socio‐emotional skills for the vocabulary development of DLLs.
Lake development and vegetation history in coastal Primor'ye: implications for Holocene climate of the southeastern Russian Far East
Authors: Lozhkin Anatoly V. , Anderson Patricia M. , Brown Thomas A. , Grebennikova Tatiana A. , Korzun Julia A. , Tsigankova Valeriya I.
Published: December 2020

Latvia Lake provides one of the few high‐resolution palaeoenvironmental records from southeastern Primor'ye. It traces basin, vegetation and climate histories over the past c. 8.6 ka. The Latvia basin experienced four phases, two of which involved frequent shifts amongst lake, lagoon and bay settings (c. 8.6–7.0 cal. ka BP and c. 2.1 cal. ka BP–present). A sandbar was present between c. 7.0 and 6.9 cal. ka BP. The longest interval of Latvia basin stability was from c. 6.9–2.1 cal. ka BP when the basin was a lagoon of varying salinities. Quercus‐broadleaf forests characterized the regional vegetation throughout the past c. 8.6 ka. Variations in thermophilous species (e.g. Juglans,Carpinus,Ulmus,Tilia,Syringa) and Pinus koraiensis reflect shifts in temperature and moisture during the Middle Holocene. A period of warmest climate occurred c. 8.6–5.1 cal. ka BP with wettest conditions from c. 7.5–4.3 cal. ka BP, although all changes in temperature and precipitation were gradual. The Latvia Lake results indicate that changes in Middle to Late Holocene climates were linked more closely to shifts in the East Asian Summer Monsoon and less so to sea level oscillations. This investigation demonstrates that lakes of coastal Primor'ye can provide reliable palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate records despite their changing depositional environments.
Parental phubbing linking to adolescent life satisfaction: The mediating role of relationship satisfaction and the moderating role of attachment styles
Authors: Liu Ke , Chen Weiwei , Wang Hongxia , Geng Jingyu , Lei Li
Published: December 2020

Background

Parental phubbing and its effects on adolescents have recently begun to attract concern. Previous studies have shown that parental phubbing was associated with emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents. However, much less is known about the association between parental phubbing and youth life satisfaction, let alone the mediating and moderating mechanisms.

Methods

Self‐reports of parental phubbing, satisfaction with the parent–adolescent relationship, life satisfaction, and attachment style were assessed in a sample of 303 Chinese teenagers (155 girls and 148 boys, Mage = 14.00, SDage = 0.86). Multiple regressions were applied to investigate the association between parental phubbing and adolescents' life satisfaction, the mediating role of adolescents' relationship satisfaction, and the moderating role of adolescents' attachment styles.

Results

Parental phubbing had a negative effect on adolescents' life satisfaction, yet this association was completely mediated by adolescents' relationship satisfaction. Besides, the association between parental phubbing and adolescents' relationship satisfaction was moderated by adolescents' attachment styles. Overall, the conditional effect of parental phubbing on adolescents' life satisfaction was significant among the preoccupied teens and the fearful teens but not significant among the secure teens and the dismissing teens.

Conclusion

Although parental phubbing has the potential to undermine youth well‐being, the actual consequences for adolescents are variable, depending on their attachment orientations.
Biphasic roles of pentraxin 3 in cerebrovascular function after white matter stroke
Authors: Shindo Akihiro , Takase Hajime , Hamanaka Gen , Chung Kelly K. , Mandeville Emiri T. , Egawa Naohiro , Maki Takakuni , Borlongan Mia , Takahashi Ryosuke , Lok Josephine , Tomimoto Hidekazu , Lo Eng H. , Arai Ken
Published: December 2020

Recent clinical studies suggest that pentraxin 3 (PTX3), which is known as an acute‐phase protein that is produced rapidly at local sites of inflammation, may be a new biomarker of disease risk for central nervous system disorders, including stroke. However, the effects of PTX3 on cerebrovascular function in the neurovascular unit (NVU) after stroke are mostly unknown, and the basic research regarding the roles of PTX3 in NVU function is still limited. In this reverse translational study, we prepared mouse models of white matter stroke by vasoconstrictor (ET‐1 or L‐Nio) injection into the corpus callosum region to examine the roles of PTX3 in the pathology of cerebral white matter stroke. PTX3 expression was upregulated in GFAP‐positive astrocytes around the affected region in white matter for at least 21 days after vasoconstrictor injection. When PTX3 expression was reduced by PTX3 siRNA, blood‐brain barrier (BBB) damage at day 3 after white matter stroke was exacerbated. In contrast, when PTX3 siRNA was administered at day 7 after white matter stroke, compensatory angiogenesis at day 21 was promoted. In vitro cell culture experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of PTX3 in angiogenesis, that is, recombinant PTX3 suppressed the tube formation of cultured endothelial cells in a Matrigel‐based in vitro angiogenesis assay. Taken together, our findings may support a novel concept that astrocyte‐derived PTX3 plays biphasic roles in cerebrovascular function after white matter stroke; additionally, it may also provide a proof‐of‐concept that PTX3 could be a therapeutic target for white matter‐related diseases, including stroke.
Weight gain post–heart transplantation is associated with an increased risk for allograft vasculopathy and rejection
Authors: Ram Eilon , Klempfner Robert , Peled Amir , Kassif Yigal , Sternik Leonid , Lavee Jacob , Peled Yael
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE

Obesity and overweight are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Since fat mass (FM) and fat‐free mass (FFM) both contribute to total body weight (TBW), we characterized the post–heart transplantation (HT) change in TBW and its implications for outcomes.

METHODS

Post‐HT changes in TBW, FM, and FFM were reviewed for 211 HT patients assessed during 1997–2017. Endpoints included cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and rejection.

RESULTS

Median TBW increased by 7.3% at 1 year, with a significant rise in the obese category (28% vs. 13%, p < 0.001) and with FM versus FFM making the main contribution (23% vs. 3%, p < 0.001). When patients were divided according to median TBW change (“high” vs. “low”), Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that 10‐year freedom from CAV (log‐rank p < 0.005) and rejection (log‐rank p < 0.01) was significantly higher for the “low” TBW change group. Consistently, multivariable analyses showed that the “high” group was independently associated with significant 3.5‐fold and 4.2‐fold increased risks for CAV (95% CI 1.4–8.7, p = 0.01) and rejection (95% CI 1.2–15.4, p = 0.03), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight gain, contributed mostly by FM, is independently associated with an increased risk for CAV and rejection. Follow‐up emphasis should be placed on weight gain and preventative measures.
Elementary visuospatial perception deficit in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Pisella Laure , Vialatte Audrey , Martel Marie , Prost‐Lefebvre Myriam , Caton Marie‐Clémence , Stalder Mélanie , Yssad Rosa , Roy Alice C , Vuillerot Carole , Gonzalez‐Monge Sibylle
Published: December 2020

Aim

To assess the prevalence of elementary visuospatial perception (EVSP) deficit in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Method

Using a screening test designed and validated to measure dorsal EVSP ability, 168 children (122 males, 46 females; mean age 10y [SD 1y 10mo], range 4y 8mo–16y 4mo) diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), specific learning disorder (SLD), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and/or oral language disorder were compared with a group of 184 typically developing children. We also tested 14 children with binocular vision dysfunction and no neurodevelopmental disorder.

Results

Children with SLD scored below the interquartile range of typically developing children as frequently (59%) as children with DCD, but only 5% were severely impaired (i.e. scored as outliers). Children with DCD were the most severely impaired (22% of outliers), even more so when they exhibited a co‐occuring disorder. Children with language disorder and those with binocular vision dysfunction scored similarly to the group of typically developing children.

Interpretation

These results confirm the importance of assessing EVSP in the clinical evaluation of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular those presenting with DCD or SLD.

What this paper adds

More than half of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) scored below the normal interquartile range on the elementary visuospatial perception (EVSP) test.

More than half of children with specific learning disorder (SLD) scored below the normal interquartile range on the EVSP test.

Twenty‐two percent of children with DCD performed as outliers on the EVSP test.

Children with language disorder and those with binocular vision dysfunction scored similarly to typically developing children.
No specialist pheromone‐ignoring ants in Lasius niger
Authors: Koch Alexandra , Czaczkes Tomer J.
Published: December 2020

In insect societies, the balance between exploitation of known resources and exploration of new ones is important to ensure sufficient resources.

Mass recruiting ants, such as Lasius niger, use pheromone trails to recruit nestmates to a newly discovered food source. Pheromone following, however, shows characteristic non‐following (lapse) rates among different species, with ∼20% of L. niger foragers ignoring pheromone.

These characteristic lapse rates might simply be ‘noise’, or they might indicate a subset of specialised explorative foragers, a scouting caste, that consistently ignores pheromone in order to explore.

Here we show pheromone ignoring is not a repeatable behaviour in L. niger foragers – ants who did not follow a trail were no more likely to ignore it again an hour later than ants which did follow it.

Our findings suggest that there is no subset of specialised pheromone‐ignoring L. niger foragers. This may be due to their moderate colony size and strong reliance on individual memories: species with larger colony sizes or a weaker reliance on private information (i.e. memory) may have specialist non‐followers.

Our work raises the question: what is a scout ant? We encourage future research to investigate the presence of a scouting caste in other ant species using our straightforward methodology, as a social information‐ignoring caste may be rarer than expected.
Neck flexor weakness at diagnosis predicts respiratory impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Vasta Rosario , Torrieri Maria Claudia , D’Ovidio Fabrizio , Circiello Alberta , De Mattei Filippo , Manera Umberto , Canosa Antonio , Calvo Andrea , Chiò Adriano , Moglia Cristina
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

The purpose was to assess the prognostic role of neck muscle weakness at diagnosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with respect to survival and respiratory impairment.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. All ALS patients seen in the Turin ALS Centre from 2007 to 2014 were included. Muscle strength at diagnosis was evaluated using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Survival was considered as the time from diagnosis to death or tracheostomy; time to respiratory impairment was considered as the interval from diagnosis to the first event amongst an ALS Functional Rating Scale revised item 10 <4, forced vital capacity <70%, start of non‐invasive ventilation or tracheostomy. Time from diagnosis to dysarthria, dysphagia and walking impairment were considered as secondary outcomes. Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for sex, age at diagnosis, diagnostic delay, onset site, genetics status and the MRC scores of other muscle groups were used to assess the prognostic role of neck muscles.

Results

A total of 370 patients were included in the study. Fifty‐nine (15.9%) patients showed neck flexor weakness at diagnosis; MRC values were mostly in agreement for neck extensors. Neck flexors were the only muscles able to predict survival (hazard ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.28–0.86; p = 0.01). Furthermore, neck flexor normal strength decreased the risk of respiratory impairment (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.22–0.96; p = 0.04) but did not influence any secondary outcomes.

Discussion

Neck flexor weakness at diagnosis predicts survival and respiratory impairment in ALS. This result could be valuable for both planning of patients’ interventions and clinical trials’ design.
Heterogeneity of a dwarf phenotype in Dutch traditional chicken breeds revealed by genomic analyses
Authors: Wu Zhou , Bortoluzzi Chiara , Derks Martijn F. L. , Liu Langqing , Bosse Mirte , Hiemstra Sipke Joost , Groenen Martien A. M. , Crooijmans Richard P. M. A.
Published: December 2020

The growth of animals is a complex trait, in chicken resulting in a diverse variety of forms, caused by a heterogeneous genetic basis. Bantam chicken, known as an exquisite form of dwarfism, has been used for crossbreeding to create corresponding dwarf counterparts for native fowls in the Dutch populations. Here, we demonstrate the heterogeneity of the bantam trait in Dutch chickens and reveal the underlying genetic causes, using whole‐genome sequence data from matching pairs of bantam and normal‐sized breeds. During the bantam‐oriented crossbreeding, various bantam origins were used to introduce the bantam phenotype, and three major bantam sources were identified and clustered. The genome‐wide association studies revealed multiple genetic variants and genes associated with bantam phenotype, including HMGA2 and PRDM16, genes involved in body growth and stature. The comparison of associated variants among studies illustrated differences related to divergent bantam origins, suggesting a clear heterogeneity among bantam breeds. We show that in neo‐bantam breeds, the bantam‐related regions underwent a strong haplotype introgression from the bantam source, outcompeting haplotypes from the normal‐sized counterpart. The bantam heterogeneity is further confirmed by the presence of multiple haplotypes comprising associated alleles, which suggests the selection of the bantam phenotype is likely subject to a convergent direction across populations. Our study demonstrates that the diverse history of human‐mediated crossbreeding has contributed to the complexity and heterogeneity of the bantam phenotype.
Human guanylate binding proteins: nanomachines orchestrating host defense
Authors: Kutsch Miriam , Coers Jörn
Published: December 2020

Disease‐causing microorganisms not only breach anatomical barriers and invade tissues but also frequently enter host cells, nutrient‐enriched environments amenable to support parasitic microbial growth. Protection from many infectious diseases is therefore reliant on the ability of individual host cells to combat intracellular infections through the execution of cell‐autonomous defense programs. Central players in human cell‐autonomous immunity are members of the family of dynamin‐related guanylate binding proteins (GBPs). The importance of these interferon‐inducible GTPases in host defense to viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens has been established for some time; only recently, cell biological and biochemical studies that largely focused on the prenylated paralogs GBP1, GBP2, and GBP5 have provided us with robust molecular frameworks for GBP‐mediated immunity. Specifically, the recent characterization of GBP1 as a bona fide pattern recognition receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) disrupting the integrity of bacterial outer membranes through LPS aggregation, the discovery of a link between hydrolysis‐induced GMP production by GBP1 and inflammasome activation, and the classification of GBP2 and GBP5 as inhibitors of viral envelope glycoprotein processing via suppression of the host endoprotease furin have paved the way for a vastly improved conceptual understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which GBP nanomachines execute cell‐autonomous immunity. The herein discussed models incorporate our current knowledge of the antimicrobial, proinflammatory, and biochemical properties of human GBPs and thereby provide testable hypotheses that will guide future studies into the intricacies of GBP‐controlled host defense and their role in human disease.
The receptor for advanced glycation end products is a sensor for cell‐free heme
Authors: May Olivia , Yatime Laure , Merle Nicolas S. , Delguste Florian , Howsam Mike , Daugan Marie V. , Paul‐Constant Charles , Billamboz Muriel , Ghinet Alina , Lancel Steve , Dimitrov Jordan D. , Boulanger Eric , Roumenina Lubka T. , Frimat Marie
Published: December 2020

Heme’s interaction with Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) does not fully explain the proinflammatory properties of this hemoglobin‐derived molecule during intravascular hemolysis. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) shares many features with TLR4 such as common ligands and proinflammatory, prothrombotic, and pro‐oxidative signaling pathways, prompting us to study its involvement as a heme sensor. Stable RAGE‐heme complexes with micromolar affinity were detected as heme‐mediated RAGE oligomerization. The heme‐binding site was located in the V domain of RAGE. This interaction was Fe3+‐dependent and competitive with carboxymethyllysine, another RAGE ligand. We confirmed a strong basal gene expression of RAGE in mouse lungs. After intraperitoneal heme injection, pulmonary TNF‐α, IL1β, and tissue factor gene expression levels increased in WT mice but were significantly lower in their RAGE−/− littermates. This may be related to the lower activation of ERK1/2 and Akt observed in the lungs of heme‐treated, RAGE−/− mice. Overall, heme binds to RAGE with micromolar affinity and could promote proinflammatory and prothrombotic signaling in vivo, suggesting that this interaction could be implicated in heme‐overload conditions.
Bioconversion of lignocellulosic ‘waste’ to high‐value food proteins: Recombinant production of bovine and human αS1‐casein based on wheat straw lignocellulose
Authors: Wang Yan , Kubiczek Dennis , Horlamus Felix , Raber Heinz F. , Hennecke Till , Einfalt Daniel , Henkel Marius , Hausmann Rudolf , Wittgens Andreas , Rosenau Frank
Published: December 2020

Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant bio‐resource on earth, mainly composed of D‐glucose, D‐xylose and L‐arabinose. It is widely considered to be a promising alternative feedstock for biotechnological processes. Here we evaluated its potential to be the carbon source for growth of broadly distributed and well‐established Escherichia coli laboratory and protein expression strains as well as a classic probiotic E. coli strain. E. coli DH5α, E. coli K12‐MG1655, E. coli K12‐W3110, E. coli BL21(DE3) and E. coli Nissle 1917 were cultivated in mineral media containing single lignocellulosic sugar components. Sugar consumption in these cultures and growth parameters of the different strains were characterized. enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was chosen as a first easy to measure and prominent model recombinant target protein to demonstrate lignocellulose‐dependent recombinant protein production in E. coli. To open new production routes for high value food proteins based on lignocellulose, structural genes encoding bovine αS1‐casein and human αS1‐casein were synthesized, cloned and then expressed in an E. coli T7 expression system in different media based on single sugars and a synthetic wheat straw mixture. Successful recombinant production of both bovine and human αS1‐caseins in E. coli under these experimental conditions was demonstrated and quantified by densitometric analysis after protein separation in polyacrylamide gels. Finally, efficient casein production in E. coli based on a real hydrolysate obtained by steam explosion of wheat straw lignocellulose in a bioreactor‐based batch production process was successfully demonstrated. We believe that this proof‐of‐concept presented here is a promising starting point to open new routes for the production of food or feed proteins with high nutritional and economic value. As such, a valorization of bulk residual biomass like lignocellulose is envisioned as a key support of a growing and truly sustainable bioeconomy.
Transformative events: Feminist experiments in writing differently
Authors: Kinnunen Veera Elina , Wallenius‐Korkalo Sandra Sinikka , Rantala Pälvi Marjaana
Published: December 2020

This article is a reflexive methodological opening into changing writing by transforming the event of writing. Drawing from feminist theorization and the recent calls for writing differently, the eventness of academic writing was attested. It was explored how experimenting with and altering the writing events opens up potentialities for change in us as researchers, and in the practices of academic knowing in a wider sense. Three autoethnographic experiments were shared in transforming the writing through creative fiction, corporeal movement, and collective speculation. Introducing an event‐based mode to the academic thinking and writing practices provided us with means to broaden our scholarly imagination by writing from and with our feeling, sensing, and moving bodies, which allowed us to ask tentative questions and speculate wildly.
Nitrogen Attenuation in Septic System Plumes
Authors: Robertson William D. , Van Stempvoort Dale R. , Schiff Sherry L.
Published: December 2020

The persistence of inorganic nitrogen is assessed in a set of 21 septic system plumes located in Ontario, Canada, that were studied over a 31‐year period from 1988 to 2019. In the plume zones underlying the drainfields, site mean NO3− values averaged 34 ± 27 mg N/L and exceeded the nitrate drinking water limit (DWL) of 10 mg N/L at 16 of 21 sites. In plume zones extending up to 30 m downgradient from the drainfields, site mean NO3− values averaged 24 ± 20 mg N/L and exceeded the DWL at 9 of 13 sites. Site mean total inorganic nitrogen (TIN; NH4+ + NO3− − N) removal averaged 34 ± 26% in the drainfield zones and 36 ± 44% in the downgradient plume zones, indicating that much of the removal occurred within the drainfields. Removal was much higher at nine sites where drainfield TIN included >10% NH4+ (62 ± 25% removal). TIN removal was not correlated with wastewater loading rate, system age, or sediment carbonate mineral content, but was correlated with water table depth, where shallower water table sites had generally less complete wastewater oxidation. At many of these sites, both NO3− and NH4+ were present together in the plumes and were lost concomitantly, suggesting that the anammox reaction was making an important contribution to the observed TIN loss. When groundwater nitrate contamination is a concern, considering on‐site treatment system designs that lead to a lesser degree of wastewater oxidation, could be a useful approach for enhancing N removal.
Zircon U–Pb ages of Miocene granitic rocks in the Koshikijima Islands: Implications for Neogene tectonics in the Kyushu region, southwest Japan
Authors: Shinjoe Hironao , Orihashi Yuji , Niki Sota , Sato Aki , Sasaki Minoru , Sumii Tomoaki , Hirata Takafumi
Published: December 2020

The opening of the Japan Sea separated southwest Japan from the Eurasian continent during the Early to Middle Miocene. Since then, diverse igneous activities have occurred in relation to the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath southwest Japan. The Okinawa Trough formed in the back‐arc region of the Ryukyu Arc since the Late Miocene. In the Koshikijima Islands, off the west coast of Kyushu and near the northern end of the Okinawa Trough, felsic to intermediate igneous rocks with Middle to Late Miocene radiometric ages occur as granitic intrusions and dikes. We obtained zircon U–Pb ages and whole‐rock major‐ and trace‐element compositions of Koshikijima granitic rocks to elucidate their magmagenesis. The U–Pb ages of granitic rocks in Kamikoshikijima and Shimokoshikijima and a dacite dike are about 10 Ma, suggesting that most magmatism on the Koshikijima Islands was coeval with early rifting in the Okinawa Trough. We infer that magmagenesis occurred via melting of lower crustal mafic rocks related to rifting in the Okinawa Trough based on the arc‐like trace‐element compositions of these I‐type granites. Andesitic dikes preceded felsic igneous activity on the Koshikijima Islands, and their ages and petrochemistry will help elucidate the magmatism and tectonics in this area throughout the Miocene.
Strategic Leadership of Innovation: A Framework for Future Research
Authors: Cortes Andres Felipe , Herrmann Pol
Published: December 2020

Generating and implementing innovative ideas is a key organizational effort to achieve superior performance and secure competitive advantages. Accordingly, the influence of strategic leaders on organizational innovation is increasingly drawing research attention. In this study, we review and synthesize research on how strategic leaders (chief executive officers, top management teams, and boards of directors) influence innovation and propose a framework to guide future research on this important topic. We explain how existing theories rely on discretional or architectural mechanisms to explain strategic leaders’ influence on innovation and review how current studies relate strategic leaders to the specific stages of the innovation process. We also discuss the role of the internal and external environment in moderating these relationships and provide an overview and criticism of theoretical and methodological issues. Overall, we discuss the most relevant findings of the field, analyze how specific suggestions drawn from our framework can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the influence of strategic leaders on innovation, and propose multiple research opportunities.
The effect of the third invariant on the strength and failure of boron carbide and silicon carbide
Authors: Holmquist Timothy , Chocron Sidney , Nicholls Art
Published: December 2020

This article presents new test data to assess the effect the third invariant has on the strength and failure of two ceramic materials: boron carbide and silicon carbide. Two experimental techniques are used: the Brazilian test that produces a biaxial state of stress, and a new technique that uses a high‐pressure confinement vessel to load a specially designed dumbbell specimen in triaxial extension. The dumbbell geometry provides two important advantages over the typically used cylindrical specimen: no adhesive is required to bond the specimen to the load cell because the dumbbell geometry naturally takes the specimen into tension, and any loading asymmetries are essentially eliminated due to the axisymmetric geometry. The results show that when the stress state is on the tensile meridian the equivalent stress at failure is constant, independent of the hydrostatic pressure. The average equivalent stress at failure is for boron carbide and for silicon carbide. The Brazilian test was only performed on boron carbide and failed at , much higher than when on the tensile meridian () indicating that the effect of the third invariant is significant (because of the difference in the failure strength) and must be accounted for to accurately predict when failure will occur.
Comparison between estimated and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity for cardiovascular and overall mortality prediction
Authors: Hsu Po‐Chao , Lee Wen‐Hsien , Tsai Wei‐Chung , Chen Ying‐Chih , Chu Chun‐Yuan , Yen Hsueh‐Wei , Lin Tsung‐Hsien , Voon Wen‐Chol , Lai Wen‐Ter , Sheu Sheng‐Hsiung , Su Ho‐Ming , Chiu Cheng‐An
Published: December 2020

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was a good marker of arterial stiffness and could predict cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Recently, estimated PWV (ePWV) calculated by equations using age and mean blood pressure was reported to be an independent predictor of major CV events. However, there was no study comparing ePWV with brachial‐ankle PWV (baPWV) for CV and overall mortality prediction. We included 881 patients arranged for echocardiographic examination. BaPWV and blood pressures were measured by ankle‐brachial index‐form device. The median follow‐up period to mortality was 94 months. Mortality events were documented during the follow‐up period, including CV mortality (n = 66) and overall mortality (n = 184). Both of ePWV and baPWV were associated with increased CV and overall mortality after the multivariable analysis. ePWV had better predictive value than Framingham risk score (FRS) for CV and overall mortality prediction, but baPWV did not. In direct comparison of multivariable analysis using FRS as basic model, ePWV had a superior additive predictive value for CV mortality than baPWV (p = .030), but similar predictive valve for overall mortality as baPWV (p = .540). In conclusion, both ePWV and baPWV were independent predictors for long‐term CV and overall mortality in univariable and multivariable analysis. Besides, ePWV had a better additive predictive value for CV mortality than baPWV and similar predictive value for overall mortality as baPWV. Therefore, ePWV obtained without equipment deserved to be calculated for overall mortality prediction and better CV survival prediction.