bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review article: Efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron versus placebo or control in reducing vomiting in children undergoing ketamine procedural sedation in the emergency department: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hudson Jack L , Wong Julian , Durkin Michael , Gangathimmaiah Vinay , Furyk Jeremy
Published: January 2024

Ketamine is commonly used for procedural sedation anaesthesia in paediatric patients undergoing painful procedures in the ED. Ketamine's safety profile is excellent, but ketamine‐associated vomiting (KAV) is common. Routine ondansetron prophylaxis could reduce KAV incidence. This literature review evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron in reducing KAV incidence. A systematic literature review was performed on databases and trial registries on 14 January 2023 to identify randomised controlled trials. The primary outcome was reduction in KAV incidence, for any route of prophylactic ondansetron, in ED and up to 24 h post‐discharge. ED length of stay, parental satisfaction and time to resumption of normal diet were secondary outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Revman 5.3. Meta‐analysis was performed using random effects modelling. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk‐of‐Bias 2 tool. Evidence quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendation, Assessment Development and Evaluation methodology. Five trials with 920 participants met the eligibility criteria. Prophylactic ondansetron resulted in a reduction in KAV incidence overall odds ratio of 0.51 (95% confidence interval: 0.36–0.73). Intravenous and intramuscular prophylactic ondansetron showed benefit whereas the effect of oral administration was unclear. There was no difference between groups for secondary outcomes overall. The quality of evidence was deemed to be low overall because of high risk of bias and imprecision in outcome measures. This review found low to moderate certainty evidence that prophylactic ondansetron reduces KAV incidence. Methodologically rigorous research, with appropriately timed prophylactic ondansetron based on the route of administration, would further elucidate prophylactic oral ondansetron's efficacy.
Catch and release: Testing the effect of a citation release policy on crime in Washington, DC
Authors: Riddell Jordan R. , Jacobs Bruce A. , Krajewski Andrew T.
Published: January 2024

Research summary

This study investigated the effect of an expanded police station citation release policy enacted in Washington, DC in March 2020 on eight types of crime: homicide, sex abuse, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft from motor vehicles, and other theft. Monthly‐level multivariate time series analyses employed data from 2013‐2022 and accounted for the relationship between crime, arrests, and the jail population. The expanded policy was hypothesized to increase certain property crimes based on the new guidelines, but results indicated the policy modification was associated with changes in citywide crime counts for one type of crime: homicide.

Policy implications

Efforts around the United States to decarcerate the pre‐trial jail population should examine potential unintended consequences for public safety. The current study failed to detect a statistically significant increase in seven of the eight types of crime during the expanded use of one jail decarceration approach, police station citation release. In the future, jurisdictions looking to reduce their jail population might consider citation release as a speedy and cost‐effective alternative to release‐on‐recognizance, but they should take care to monitor individual defendants and evaluate their own program.
The effect of emulsifier type and oil inclusion on stress‐related gene expression of Salmonella typhimurium in oil‐in‐water emulsion
Authors: Tsai Shawn , Tikekar Rohan V.
Published: January 2024

Salmonella has been associated with numerous outbreaks from contaminated food products, including emulsions. Emulsions are influenced by emulsifier type and oil presence, which can have varying degrees of stress or protection on bacteria. Although our previous research has shown that emulsifier solutions, rather than emulsions, provide a protective effect on Salmonella typhimurium after thermal treatment, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study selected S. typhimurium as the model microorganism and utilized the same emulsifiers (Tween 20, Tween 80, Triton X‐100) to create emulsifier solutions and emulsions with the same oil fraction (60% (v/v)) to examine their effect on the expression of nine selected genes (rpoE, rpoH, otsB, proV, fadA, fabA, dnaK, ibpA, ompC) associated with stress response. Specifically, the study observed variations in gene expression under normal and thermal stress at 55°C. After 20‐h incubation, Triton X‐100 emulsion caused an upregulation of stress‐related genes, rpoE, otsB, and fabA, suggesting stressful environment. After thermal treatment, S. typhimurium in Triton X‐100 solution showed a longer 5‐log reduction time with increased proV and decreased fabA and ompC expression, suggesting enhanced thermal protection compared to its emulsion. Conversely, Tween 80 solution increased fabA and ompC expression, indicating greater membrane fluidity and passive diffusion, potentially reducing thermal resistance. However, according to the upregulation of ibpA, this effect was likely mitigated by the overproduction of heat shock proteins. Notably, Triton X‐100 environments exhibited the most significant gene expression changes after heat treatment, whereas Tween 80 without oil was the most inhospitable for bacterial survival. These findings inform bacterial responses under various conditions, aiding food safety strategies.
Coconut oil as an alternative to butter and shortening in bread making
Authors: Nemoto Kaho , Kobayashi Fumiyuki , Odake Sachiko
Published: January 2024

The characteristics of bread prepared with coconut oil were investigated to determine whether it can be used as an alternative to butter and shortening. Loaf height of the bread increased by adding butter and shortening water content of bread containing oils and fats was lower than that without oils and fats, and baking loss increased with decreasing water content. The addition of oils and fats influenced the baking color of bread and hindered the hardening of bread samples over time. Moreover, the addition and type of oils and fats influenced the crust density of bread samples and dough expansion. Furthermore, numerous fine bubbles were present in bread samples without oils and fats, whereas the size and number of bubbles increased and decreased in bread samples containing oils and fats, respectively. The band concentrations of insoluble proteins at approximately 39, 41, and 48 kDa in freeze‐dried bread samples without oils and fats were significantly lower than those containing oils and fats. Thirty volatile compounds were detected in all bread samples tested, and the number was high in the following order: bread samples with butter, shortening, and coconut oil, and without oils and fats. However, sensory evaluation showed no significant differences among all bread samples tested. Therefore, it was suggested that bread containing coconut oil had the same characteristics as that containing butter and shortening.

Practical Application

Butter and shortening are usually used in bread making, although bread prepared with coconut oil can possess the same characteristics as that containing them. Therefore, this study evaluated the characteristics of bread prepared with coconut oil and revealed that use of coconut oil enabled a vegan bread with reduced environmental impact because coconut oil is a vegetable‐derived oil that does not require the cutting of tropical rainforests.
Segment disaggregation and equity‐based pay contracts
Authors: Cho Young Jun , Seo Hojun
Published: January 2024

We study the role of segment disaggregation in equity‐based pay contracts in diversified firms. Disaggregated segment disclosures can improve the observability of managerial actions in internal capital markets and thus increase implicit incentives for managers to allocate resources as desired by shareholders, substituting for explicit incentives provided to CEOs. We use the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 as an identification strategy and find that firms affected by this segment reporting mandate significantly decreased the provision of equity‐based incentives in the post‐adoption period, especially for firms with higher operating volatilities. This effect is also more pronounced for firms with weaker board monitoring in the pre‐adoption period but with stronger external monitoring in the post‐adoption period. Overall, our results suggest that disaggregated segment disclosures reduce the use of equity‐based pay contracts in diversified firms by enhancing the monitoring of managers.
Transthoracic impedance variability to assess quality of chest compression in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Magliocca Aurora , Castagna Valentina , Fornari Carla , Zimei Gabriele , Merigo Giulia , Penna Alessio , Carlson Jonas , Fumagalli Francesca , Stirparo Giuseppe , Migliari Maurizio , Coppo Anna , Sechi Giuseppe Maria , Grasselli Giacomo , Hardig Bjarne Madsen , Ristagno Giuseppe
Published: January 2024

Background

Chest compression is a lifesaving intervention in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but the optimal metrics to assess its quality have yet to be identified. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a new parameter, that is, the variability of the chest compression‐generated transthoracic impedance (TTI), namely ImpCC, which measures the consistency of the chest compression maneuver, relates to resuscitation outcome.

Methods

This multicenter observational, retrospective study included OHCAs with shockable rhythm. ImpCC variability was evaluated with the power spectral density analysis of the TTI. Multivariate regression model was used to examine the impact of ImpCC variability on defibrillation success. Secondary outcome measures were return of spontaneous circulation and survival.

Results

Among 835 treated OHCAs, 680 met inclusion criteria and 565 matched long‐term outcomes. ImpCC was significantly higher in patients with unsuccessful defibrillation compared to those with successful defibrillation (p = .0002). Lower ImpCC variability was associated with successful defibrillation with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.993 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.989–0.998, p = .003), while the standard chest compression fraction (CCF) was not associated (OR 1.008 [95 % CI, 0.992–1.026, p = .33]). Neither ImpCC nor CCF was associated with long‐term outcomes.

Conclusions

In this population, consistency of chest compression maneuver, measured by variability in TTI, was an independent predictor of defibrillation outcome. ImpCC may be a useful novel metrics for improving quality of care in OHCA.
The effect of trust and social pressure on member commitment in agricultural cooperatives – Evidence from China
Authors: Hao Jinghui , Bijman Jos , Heijman Wim , Gao Ming
Published: January 2024

Member commitment has an impact on the viability and success of cooperatives. While there are studies on member engagement in European and American cooperatives, empirical research on member commitment in Chinese agricultural cooperatives is rare. Using a sample of 391 farmer cooperative members in China, this study investigates the factors associated with member commitment, particularly whether trust in the cooperative leadership and social pressure at village level affect member commitment. In addition, the study explores the pathway how trust and social pressure affect member commitment by employing structural equation modelling. Our results show that both trust and social pressure are positively associated with the three components of member commitment – affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment – in a direct way. Furthermore, trust in the leadership impacts affective commitment indirectly via the mediation of member participation. These findings can be used by cooperative leaders, policy makers and rural administrators to strengthen member commitment and thereby the economic viability of agricultural cooperatives and the communities in which they are embedded.
Serological evidence of exposure of healthy dogs to Leptospira in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Griebsch C , Kirkwood N , Ward MP , Norris JM
Published: January 2024

In 2017, highly fatal canine leptospirosis emerged in Sydney, Australia. Based on results of microscopic agglutination testing (MAT), serovar Copenhageni appeared to be the most common causative serovar. Prior to this, no clinical cases had been reported since 1976. In a serosurvey of healthy dogs in Australian shelters in 2004, 2.4% of 431 New South Wales dogs had serological evidence of exposure to Copenhageni, the most prevalent serovar. The aim of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of Leptospira exposure and associated serovars in healthy Sydney dogs, previously unvaccinated against Leptospira. Serum samples from 411 healthy dogs in leptospirosis hotspots and neighbouring suburbs were collected before vaccination. MAT for 23 serovars was performed at the WHO Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory in Queensland, Australia. The overall seroprevalence was 4.1% (17/411) with low titres (1/50–1/200) detected. Eleven dogs were from known leptospirosis hotspots. Eight dogs were known to hunt rodents. One dog had been in contact with a leptospirosis positive dog 1 year prior. Serovar Topaz was the most prevalent serovar (n = 5) followed by serovars Australis (n = 4), Copenhageni (n = 4), Djasiman (n = 2), Cynopteri (n = 1), Javanica (n = 1), Medanensis (n = 1), and Pomona (n = 1). In conclusion, serological evidence of exposure of dogs in Sydney to Leptospira is low, but apparently has increased since 2004. Positive titres to serovars not previously reported to cause disease in dogs could be due to low virulence of those serovars or cross‐reactivity with other serovars.
The FGF14GAA repeat expansion in Greek patients with late‐onset cerebellar ataxia and an overview of the SCA27B phenotype across populations
Authors: Kartanou Chrisoula , Mitrousias Alexandros , Pellerin David , Kontogeorgiou Zoi , Iruzubieta Pablo , Dicaire Marie‐Josée , Danzi Matt C. , Koniari Chrysoula , Athanassopoulos Konstantinos , Panas Marios , Stefanis Leonidas , Zuchner Stephan , Brais Bernard , Houlden Henry , Karadima Georgia , Koutsis Georgios
Published: January 2024

A pathogenic GAA repeat expansion in the first intron of the fibroblast growth factor 14 gene (FGF14) has been recently identified as the cause of spinocerebellar ataxia 27B (SCA27B). We herein screened 160 Greek index cases with late‐onset cerebellar ataxia (LOCA) for FGF14 repeat expansions using a combination of long‐range PCR and bidirectional repeat‐primed PCRs. We identified 19 index cases (12%) carrying a pathogenic FGF14 GAA expansion, a diagnostic yield higher than that of previously screened repeat‐expansion ataxias in Greek LOCA patients. The age at onset of SCA27B patients was 60.5 ± 12.3 years (range, 34–80). Episodic onset (37%), downbeat nystagmus (32%) and vertigo (26%) were significantly more frequent in FGF14 expansion‐positive cases compared to expansion‐negative cases. Beyond typical cerebellar signs, SCA27B patients often displayed hyperreflexia (47%) and reduced vibration sense in the lower extremities (42%). The frequency and phenotypic profile of SCA27B in Greek patients was similar to most other previously studied populations. We conclude that FGF14 GAA repeat expansions are the commonest known genetic cause of LOCA in the Greek population and recommend prioritizing testing for FGF14 expansions in the diagnostic algorithm of patients with LOCA.
XAI‐driven model for crop recommender system for use in precision agriculture
Authors: Naga Srinivasu Parvathaneni , Ijaz Muhammad Fazal , Woźniak Marcin
Published: January 2024

Agriculture serves as the predominant driver of a country's economy, constituting the largest share of the nation's manpower. Most farmers are facing a problem in choosing the most appropriate crop that can yield better based on the environmental conditions and make profits for them. As a consequence of this, there will be a notable decline in their overall productivity. Precision agriculture has effectively resolved the issues encountered by farmers. Today's farmers may benefit from what's known as precision agriculture. This method takes into account local climate, soil type, and past crop yields to determine which varieties will provide the best results. The explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) technique is used with radial basis functions neural network and spider monkey optimization to classify suitable crops based on the underlying soil and environmental conditions. The XAI technology would provide assets in better transparency of the prediction model on deciding the most suitable crops for their farms, taking into account a variety of geographical and operational criteria. The proposed model is assessed using standard metrics like precision, recall, accuracy, and F1‐score. In contrast to other cutting‐edge approaches discussed in this study, the model has shown fair performance with approximately 12% better accuracy than the other models considered in the current study. Similarly, precision has improvised by 10%, recall by 11%, and F1‐score by 10%.
A DNA nanostructure‐Hif‐1α inducer complex as novel nanotherapy against cisplatin‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Chen Yuanchong , Xu Jiangshan , Shi Sirong , Ma Wenjuan , Cui Weitong , Yan Ran , Lin Yunfeng
Published: January 2024

Since its discovery in 1978, cisplatin‐based chemotherapy regimens have served a pivotal role in human cancer treatment, saving millions of lives. However, its high risk still poses a significant challenge for cisplatin‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI), which occurs in 30% of cisplatin‐treated patients. Unfortunately, no effective solution for preventing or managing this severe complication, which greatly impacts its clinical administration. Kidney is the main organ injured by cisplatin, and the injury is related to cisplatin‐induced cell apoptosis and DNA injury. Therefore, to achieve the safe use of cisplatin in tumour treatment, the key lies in identifying a kidney treatment that can effectively minimize cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Here, we successfully synthesized and applied a DNA‐nanostructure complex, named TFG, which contains tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) and FG‐4592, a novel Hif‐1α inducer. As cargo, TFG is composed entirely of DNA strands. It possesses low nephrotoxicity and renal aggregation properties while FG‐4592 is able to relieve renal injury by downregulating the apoptosis signal pathways. And it can relieve cisplatin‐induced renal injury when taken cisplatin treatment. This work aims to enhance chemotherapy protection in tumour patients by using TFG, a DNA‐based nanomedicines to kidney. This work has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of renal diseases, particularly drug‐induced kidney injury, leading to improved clinical outcomes.
Venomous snakebites: Exploring social barriers and opportunities for the adoption of prevention measures
Authors: Carter Harrison , Glaudas Xavier , Whitaker Romulus , Chandrasekharun Gnaneswar , Hockings Kimberley , Nuno Ana
Published: January 2024

Negative interactions between humans and venomous snakes are increasing, with the World Health Organization committed to halving snakebite deaths and disabilities by 2030. Evidence‐based strategies are thus urgently required to reduce snakebite events in high‐risk areas, while promoting snake conservation. Understanding the factors that drive the adoption of snakebite prevention measures is critical for the effective implementation of snakebite management strategies. We conducted in‐person questionnaires (n = 535 respondents) with rural agricultural communities within the Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu, India, a national snakebite hotspot. Using a health belief model framework, we explored current snakebite prevention measures and factors impacting their adoption. The majority of respondents reported using multiple snakebite prevention measures. Perceived self‐efficacy and perceived risk frequency of snakebites were important overall predictors of future adoption, whereas education, gender, relative wealth, and current adoption were important for specific measures. Achieving international commitments to support human–snake coexistence will require collective and collaborative action (e.g., governments, donor agencies, civil society organizations, researchers, and communities) underpinned by behavioural insights and context‐specific solutions.
Pattern of use and clinical outcomes with rIX‐FP in pediatric/adolescent patients with haemophilia B in Italy: Results from IDEAL real‐world study
Authors: Giordano Paola , Pollio Berardino , Sottilotta Gianluca , Biasoli Chiara , Daniele Filomena , De Cristofaro Raimondo , Peyvandi Flora , Villa Maria Rosaria , Castaman Giancarlo ,   the IDEAL Study Group
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To evaluate pattern of use and clinical outcomes in pediatric/adolescent patients enrolled in the IDEAL study.

Methods

This post‐hoc analysis of IDEAL retrospective‐prospective observational study focused on patients <18 years, 100% on prophylaxis during the entire observation period.

Results

Thirteen subjects (median age 10.0 years; 61.5% ≤ 11 years) were analyzed. The infusion frequency changed from 2/week in 84.6% (N = 11) of patients with previous rFIX, to less than 1/weekly in 76.9% (N = 9) with rIX‐FP and the annualized number of infusions reduced of 57% (p = .002), from a mean ± SD of 95.1 ± 22.77 to 40.4 ± 6.79, respectively. Annualized mean consumption decreased of about 56% (p = .001), from 3748.4 ± 1155.40 IU/kg with previous rFIX, to 1656.8 ± 456.63 IU/kg of rIX‐FP. Mean FIX trough level changed from 3.0% ± 1.98% to 10.92% ± 3.6%. Low mean Annualized Bleeding Rate was maintained across all prophylaxis regimens (0.8 ± 1.69 vs. 0.3 ± 0.89) and zero bleeding patients moved from 69.2% (N = 9) with previous rFIX to 84.6% (N = 11) with rIX‐FP (p = .63). Two adverse events, none related to rIX‐FP, occurred in two patients. No inhibitors development was reported.

Conclusions

The results in this pediatric/adolescent subgroup support rIX‐FP prophylaxis may reduce infusion frequency, while providing high FIX trough levels, stable annualized bleeding rate and a good safety profile.
Prioritizing beliefs and the formation of expectations
Authors: Ehrig Timo
Published: January 2024

How do expectations for novel opportunities—like Amazon from the perspective of 1998—come about? To form such expectations, decision‐makers need to derive plausible conclusions that go beyond the available information by interpreting it with the help of theories. I explain why asymmetric expectations among rational individuals can exist, even when information is symmetric: Differences in the willingness to question of (defined as “a preference ordering over”) elementary theoretical explanations of the novelty bring about heterogeneity in final expectations. I further argue that one source of better expectations is the skill to choose the relative willingness to question beliefs and thus the skill to integrate theories. I identify the skills of decision‐makers to detect and resolve inconsistencies and to decide when to give up beliefs again as sources of advantages in forming expectations.
Equine ulcerative keratitis in the Netherlands (2012–2021): Bacterial and fungal isolates and antibiotic susceptibility
Authors: Verdenius Clara Y. , Slenter Inge J. M. , Hermans Hanneke , Broens Els M. , Djajadiningrat‐Laanen Sylvia C.
Published: January 2024

Background

Ulcerative keratitis is a common ophthalmic disease in horses which can be complicated by microbial infection and requires immediate, accurate treatment to prevent loss of visual function or the eye.

Objectives

To report the results of microbial cultures, antibiotic susceptibility tests and corneal cytology in horses with ulcerative keratitis presented to a referral clinic, to assess agreement between cytology and culture results, to investigate whether previous topical treatment affected microbial culture results and whether the incidence of antimicrobial resistance changed during the study period.

Study design

Retrospective analysis.

Methods

Case characteristics and results of cytology and microbial cultures were retrieved. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, χ2 or Fisher's exact test and McNemar test.

Results

Samples for bacterial culturing (n = 187), fungal culturing (n = 153) and cytology (n = 153) were collected from 178 horses. Bacterial and fungal cultures were positive in 36% (n = 67) and 20% (n = 30), respectively. Staphylococcus (n = 35/67; 48%), Streptococcus (n = 12/67; 16%) and Aspergillus species (n = 22/30; 81%) were most frequently found. Microorganisms were observed in 14% of cytology samples (n = 22/153). Acquired antibiotic resistance was commonly observed amongst Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Acquired antibiotic resistance to gentamicin was more common in cases previously treated with gentamicin (p < 0.001). The incidence of acquired antibiotic resistance did not increase significantly between Cohort 2012–2017 and Cohort 2018–2021. Neither bacterial nor fungal culturing results were in agreement with cytology findings (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). In 6 of 104 samples that were negative on fungal culturing, cytology revealed fungal elements.

Main limitations

Due to the retrospective nature of this study, some case characteristics and test results were unavailable.

Conclusions

Acquired resistance was commonly observed amongst Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species, and in bacteria previously exposed to topical gentamicin. The incidence of acquired antibiotic resistance did not increase over time. When fungal cultures prove negative, cytology may have some added benefit in identifying keratomycosis.
Carers' experiences and perspectives of the use of anticholinergic medications in people living with dementia: Analysis of an online discussion forum
Authors: Shawaqfeh Bara'a , Hughes Carmel M. , McGuinness Bernadette , Barry Heather E.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

There is concern about the use of anticholinergic medications in people living with dementia (PLWD). Such medicines may increase cognitive decline and may be associated with higher mortality in PLWD who take these medicines. The aim of this study was to analyse data from an online dementia discussion forum to explore the experiences and perspectives of PLWD and carers about the use of anticholinergic medicines in this population.

Methods

Following receipt of ethical approval, archived discussions (posts) from Dementia Talking Point, a fully public online forum for anyone affected by dementia, created and maintained by the Alzheimer's Society, were searched from the date of inception to January 2022 using a range of search terms including commonly used anticholinergic medicines. Posts, including any of the search terms, were assessed for relevance and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Five hundred and fifty unique posts were analysed, all of which had been provided by carers, with no posts attributed to PLWD. The themes that encompassed carers' experiences were (1) motivators of prescribing, (2) perspectives on the process of prescribing and (3) the outcomes of prescribing. The dominant motivator of prescribing was the management of noncognitive symptoms, pre‐ and postdiagnosis of dementia. Carers' perspectives on the process of prescribing were informed by an assessment of the risk‐benefit of starting a medication and shared decision‐making between the carer and healthcare professional to a greater or lesser degree. The outcomes of prescribing were observing the effects of the medicines, which in turn influenced whether prescribing was reviewed and continued unchanged, continued but amended, reinitiated if the medicine had been previously stopped or discontinued (the process of deprescribing).

Conclusion

This study has provided unique insights into carers' experiences and perspectives about the use of anticholinergic medications in PLWD, highlighting how commonly these medications are prescribed for PLWD and carers' concerns about their use. There is a clear need for carers and PLWD to receive information about these medicines and healthcare professionals to consider how to optimise the use of these medicines to avoid adverse effects.

Patient or Public Contribution

This work was informed by findings from previous research studies focusing on optimising medicine use for people with dementia in primary care, in which interviews were conducted with PLWD, their carers and primary healthcare professionals. Although not strictly patient and public involvement, we utilised the feedback provided by key stakeholders to inform the research questions and aim/objectives of this study.
Reconnection of cysteine in reduced hair with alkylene dimaleates via thiol‐Michael click chemistry
Authors: Wu Yuwen , Ma Ling , Chen Timson , Chang Kuan , Wang Jing
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Conventional hair permanent waving (PW) and permanent straightening processes typically involve two steps: reduction, for breaking ‐S‐S‐ bond in cystine into cysteine and oxidation for ‐S‐S‐ bond reconnection. However, it is known that the hair incurs damage during the oxidation step. In this work, we proposed a novel strategy to reconnect reduced disulfide bonds in hair via the thiol‐Michael click reaction, by using a symmetric Michael reagent.

Methods

Virgin black Chinese hair was reduced using 8% wt thioglycolic acid and employed as model hair containing a high content of broken disulfide bonds. The reduced hair was treated with 1,4‐n‐butylene dimaleate. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were used to verify the chemical changes occurred in untreated and treated hair fibre. Single‐fibre mechanical properties and thermal properties of the hair were evaluated using tensile testing and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively.

Results

The 1,4‐n‐butylene dimaleate could reconnect free thiol groups generated by disulfide bond reduction via thiol‐Michael click reaction and significantly improve the mechanical strength of hair compared to that of the reduced hair. Secondary conformational resolution analysis of FT‐IR results revealed that the content of α‐helix structure could be restored after treatment with 1,4‐n‐butylene dimaleate. The intermolecular forces established by the newly generated C‐S bonds compensate the broken disulfide bonds and enhance the fracture strength of the hair compared to that of reduced hair. Michael reagents of similar structure also showed similar performance in restoring the mechanical properties of reduced hair.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that 1,4‐n‐butylene dimaleate can restore the mechanical properties of reduced hair by reconnecting reduced disulfide bonds and restoring the secondary conformation of hair keratin.
A strategy for low thermal conductivity of lutetium oxyorthosilicate ceramics fabricated via texture engineering
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Fan Lingcong , Pan Heng , Zhang Xue , Shi Ying , Xie Jianjun , Lei Fang , Zhang Lei
Published: January 2024

Submicrometer lutetium‐gadolinium oxyorthosilicate ((Lu0.95Gd0.05)2SiO5, LGSO) powder with a magnetic susceptibility of 4.19  10−6 (5.4 times that of lutetium oxyorthosilicate) was synthesized via a sol‐gel method. Slip casting with a 6 T assisted magnetic field and pressureless sintering at 1600°C for 16 h in the air effectively produced the textured LGSO ceramics with an orientation factor f of 0.96. The grains of textured LGSO ceramics grow with the preferred orientation along the b‐axis. The thermal conductivity of the textured LGSO ceramics reaches only 2.05 W·m−1·K−1 at 300 K, which is 34.5% lower than that of untextured LGSO ceramics. Textured LGSO ceramics provide increased fracture toughness. This work presents a microstructural design method for RE2SiO5 ceramics to regulate thermal and mechanical properties through texture engineering, as well as advice for the selection or optimization of RE2SiO5 ceramics as a Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) material.
UVB irradiation improved the gel properties of phycocyanin‐undaria pinnatifida hydrogel
Authors: Sun Yihan , Ren Jiaying , Li Xiang , Sun Kailing , Feng Dingding , Dong Xiuping , Qi Hang
Published: January 2024

Rich in numerous nutrients, undaria pinnatifida (UP) exhibited a broad spectrum of biological properties, including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐bacterial, anti‐cancer, and antioxidant properties. A sexual pigment protein complex known as phycocyanin (PC) was the perfect photosensitiser and had no negative effects. Due to their superior qualities, hydrogels were also widely employed in tissue engineering, medication administration, and food packaging at the same time. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of UVB irradiation on the gel characteristics of PC‐UP hydrogels using UVB irradiation technology rather than chemical crosslinking approach. The results showed that the G′ value of PC‐UP hydrogel increased from 114.17 ± 0.58 Pa to 156.72 ± 0.82 Pa and the G″ value increased from 36.80 ± 0.79 Pa to 58.05 ± 1.06 Pa after UVB irradiation. At the same time, the texture properties of hydrogel were significantly improved, and the hardness, adhesion and chewiness were increased to 214.02 ± 3.85, 198.51 ± 4.25 and 195.81 ± 5.69, respectively. After UVB irradiation, hydrogen bond was formed in PC‐UP hydrogel to improve its thermal stability. In conclusion, the results show that PC decomposes with alginic acid, potassium salt, and sodium salt in UP under UVB irradiation to form a gel network structure, which enhances its gel properties. This study provides guidance for the photo response of PC‐UP hydrogels, provides ideas for the application of PC‐UP hydrogels, and broadens the application field of future hydrogels.
Enhancing employability through training programmes in Chile: A qualitative study of the challenges identified by local actors involved in a subnational experience
Authors: Pinto Pablo E. , Henriquez‐Encamilla Daniela
Published: January 2024

Active labour policies are globally adopted to tackle unemployment and enhance job matching. In Chile, a predominantly supply‐focused approach involves training workers, especially in vulnerable groups, as it is believed that investing in human capital will align job demand and available skills. This subnational Chilean case study in the Coquimbo region delves into the factors influencing worker training and placement programme implementation, with a specific focus on stakeholders' perceptions. Through qualitative data from interviews and focus groups, the research seeks to explore subjective challenges, including individual perspectives, governance and structural factors. Various variables affect policy implementation at different levels. On the micro level, actor motivations like personal goals and financial incentives are crucial for policy design. Regional governance levels grapple with coordination difficulties that impact programme implementation. Collaboration among stakeholders like government agencies, educational institutions and employers is essential. Structural issues within the regional economy and the target population also pose challenges to policy implementation. The study suggests that a comprehensive policy approach that considers the interconnectedness of institutions, labour markets, skills and the various stakeholders involved in the process is vital to address the complexity of active labour policies at the local level in Chile.
Use of a type 1 genetic risk score for classification of diabetes type in young Australian adults: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II
Authors: Davis Timothy M. E. , Peters Kirsten E. , Davis Wendy
Published: January 2024

The applicability of a UK‐validated genetic risk score (GRS) was assessed in 158 participants in the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II diagnosed between 20 and <40 years of age with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). For type 1 versus type 2/LADA, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was highest for serum C‐peptide (0.93) and lowest for the GRS (0.66). Adding age at diagnosis and body mass index to C‐peptide increased the AUC minimally (0.96). The GRS appears of modest diabetes diagnostic value in young Australians.
Evaluating the role of Shujing Tongdu massage in enhancing wound recovery and alleviating spinal disease symptoms: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Wei , Zhang Lei , Cui Xiao , Cheng Fang
Published: January 2024

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted from 2022 to 2023 at a hospital specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai. A total of 564 participants were allocated into control and intervention groups in order to determine the effectiveness of Shujing Tongdu massage on patients with chronic lesions or spinal disorders. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the groups; age, gender and condition type were all distributed in a comparable manner. Following the implementation of Shujing Tongdu massage therapy twice weekly for the duration of 12 weeks, intervention group exhibited noteworthy enhancements. Significantly, rate of lesion healing achieved in the intervention group increased by 30%, while it merely improved by 10% in the control group. The intervention group exhibited decrease in pain intensity from 6.5 to 4.2, whereas control group demonstrated comparatively smaller reduction from 6.7 to 6.0. Range of motion in the intervention group increased substantially from 45 to 60 degrees, whereas it increased from 44 to 46 degrees in the control group. In the intervention group, Quality of Life scores increased from 50 to 75, exceeding the increase of 58 in the control group. There was significant rise in the Mental Well‐being Index for intervention group, from 60 to 80, in contrast to rise of 64 from 62 in the control group. Statistically significant outcomes were determined, establishing the massage therapy's efficacy. Mild discomfort and muscle soreness were the most frequent adverse effects in the intervention group, whereas vertigo was more prevalent in the control group. Based on the findings of this research, Shujing Tongdu massage therapy effectively promoted wound healing and mitigated symptoms associated with spinal disorders, indicating its potential as the supplementary therapeutic modality in clinical environments.
Promoting effects of alternating current and input power on grain growth behavior of cubic ZrO2 polycrystals
Authors: Nambu Kohta , Ishii Akio , Soga Kohei , Morita Koji
Published: January 2024

The grain growth behavior during an AC flash event was examined in 8 mol% yttria‐stabilized cubic zirconia (8Y‐CSZ) polycrystals. The effects of current/power densities on the grain growth behavior were investigated in 8Y‐CSZ samples with different specific surface areas at a constant sample temperature and applied field strength. The grain growth rate of flash‐treated 8Y‐CSZ was 300 times faster than that of heat‐treated 8Y‐CSZ at the same sample temperature in the absence of an electric current/field, suggesting that the promoted grain growth cannot be ascribed only to a thermal effect but also to an athermal effect occurring during the AC flash event. Moreover, the grain growth during the flash treatment strongly depends on the applied current/power densities and grain size; in particular, the grain growth showed enhancements with increasing applied current/power densities and for relatively small grain sizes. This result suggests that the grain boundary diffusivity of cations, which are regarded as the rate‐controlling species for grain growth, could be accelerated by tuning the current/power densities during the flash event. The grain growth mechanism was characterized using a grain growth exponent (n) value of 4.8 for the flash treatment at high current/power densities and using a conventional value of n = 3 under normal heat treatment conditions. The dependence of the grain growth behavior on the AC current/power density suggests that because the cation diffusivity is accelerated due to the formation of numerous point defects during the AC flash event, the grain growth mechanism might depend on the current/power densities and differ from that of conventional grain growth.
Trends in blood pressure changes and hypertension prevalence in Australian adults before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Nolde Janis M. , Streets Fleur , Meyer Denny , Chen Won Sun , Wei Jiajun , Wickramasinghe Nilmini , Hannebery Patrick , Lambert Gavin W. , Schlaich Markus P.
Published: January 2024

Efforts to limit the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic led to the implementation of public health measures and reallocation of health resources. To investigate trends in blood pressure (BP), hypertension and BMI in the Australian population during the COVID‐19 pandemic, data from publicly accessible health stations were analyzed.

Average BP and BMI measured by the SiSU Health Station network in Australia in over 1.6 million health screenings were compared between the years 2018 and 2021. Additionally, paired trajectories for BP and BMI development before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic were calculated.

Comparisons between pre‐COVID years and post‐COVID years of 2018 versus 2020, 2019 versus 2020, 2018 versus 2021, and 2019 versus 2021 showed increases in average adjusted systolic BP of 2.0, 1.7, 2.6, and 2.3 mmHg, respectively. Paired analysis of longitudinal data showed an overall increase in the trajectory of systolic BP of 3.2 mmHg between pre‐ and post‐COVID years. The prevalence of hypertension in users of the health stations increased by approximately 25% in the years 2020–2021. Similar trends were seen for BMI.

Data from public Australian health stations indicated a strong trend toward higher BP during the COVID‐19 pandemic. At the population level, BP increments have been shown to markedly increase cardiovascular disease risk. Anti‐pandemic measures need to be carefully evaluated in terms of secondary public health effects and health support systems extended to effectively target cardiovascular risk.
Colorectal cancer and its attributable risk factors in East Asia, 1990–2030
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhu Shijie , Liu Chunlong , Xiao Xiong , Xie Haojie , Zhang Yonghui , Hong Yang
Published: January 2024

Background

The disease burden of colorectal cancer in East Asia has been at a high level. However, the epidemiological characteristics of the disease burden in this region have not been systematically studied.

Method

Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 program. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify long‐term trends in mortality of colorectal cancer. Independent effects of age, period, and cohort were detected by the age–period–cohort model. The Bayesian age–period–cohort model was performed to predict the burden of colorectal cancer across East Asia by 2030.

Results

From 1990 to 2019, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) showed upward trends in mainland China (1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI)], 0.82, 1.28) as well as Taiwan Province of China (1.81 [95% CI], 1.51, 2.10) but downward in Japan (−0.60 [95% CI], −0.70, −0.49) (P < 0.05). Attributable risk factors for colorectal cancer in East Asia remained stable over 30 years, while the risk of metabolic factors is noteworthy in the future. In the next decade, the age‐standardized death rate (ASDR) of colorectal cancer in China was predicted to surpass that of Japan and South Korea in expectation.

Conclusion

The mortality of colorectal cancer is escalating in developing countries, while it is gradually declining in high‐income countries across East Asia. Nonetheless, the disease burden of colorectal cancer in high‐income countries remains substantial level.
Research on extended external reporting assurance: An update on recent developments
Authors: Venter Elmar R. , Krasodomska Joanna
Published: January 2024

We review the recent literature on the assurance of Extended External Reporting published since the review published in 2021 in the Journal of International Financial Management & Accounting. Our review includes 50 articles published between 2020 and August 2023 across 30 journals ranked A*, A, or B on the Australian Business Deans Council 2022 Journal Quality List. We find that the literature continues to be dominated by positivist studies investigating the determinants and consequences of assurance. Studies on determinants examine carbon assurance, ownership, governance, and institutional themes. The consequences studies included in our review examine reporting‐related outcomes and investors' decisions. Other (qualitative) studies we reviewed examine issues such as assurance providers seeking meaning in their work and their attempts to promote assurance beyond merely a verification tool. We highlight several avenues for future research that could inform the work of standard setters and regulators.
Atomic resolution imaging using a novel, compact and stiff scanning tunnelling microscope in cryogen‐free superconducting magnet
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Behnam , Touqeer Muhammad , Junwei Liu , Zheng Shaofeng , Geng Tao , Hou Yubin , Lu Qingyou
Published: January 2024

We present the design and performance of a novel scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) operating in a cryogen‐free superconducting magnet. Our home‐built STM head is compact (51.5 mm long and 20 mm in diameter) and has a single arm that provides complete openness in the scanning area between the tip and sample. The STM head consists of two piezoelectric tubes (PTs), a piezoelectric scanning tube (PST) mounted on a well‐polished zirconia shaft, and a large PT housed in a sapphire tube called the motor tube. The main body of the STM head is made of tantalum. In this design, we fixed the sapphire tube to the frame with screws so that the tube's position can be changed quickly. To analyse the stiffness of the STM head unit, we identified the lowest eigenfrequencies with 3 and 4 kHz in the bending modes, 8 kHz in a torsional mode, and 9 kHz in a longitudinal mode by finite element analysis, and also measured the low drift rates in the X–Y plane and in the Z direction. The high performance of the home‐built STM was demonstrated by images of the hexagonal graphite lattice at 300 K and in a sweeping magnetic field from 0 T to 9 T. Our results confirm the high stability, vibration resistance, insensitivity to high magnetic fields and the application potential of our newly developed STM for the investigation of low‐frequency systems with high static support stiffness in physics, chemistry, material and biological sciences.